rose by any other name would smell as sweet

a rose by any other name (would smell as sweet)

What someone or something is called does not change their innate characteristics or attributes. The shorter version of the phrase is often used when describing undesirable people or things. The full line is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet bemoans the fact that Romeo, whom she loves, is a Montague, her family's rivals. You can dress up his treasonous actions with whatever heroic descriptors you like, but it still remains treason. A rose by any other name, as they say. Honestly, I don't care if they end up changing the name of my town. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and this will always be home.
See also: any, by, name, other, rose, smell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rose by any other name would smell as sweet

Prov. The nature of a thing is more important than what it is called. (From Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet.) Bob was upset when his job title was changed from "administrative assistant" to "secretary." We tried to convince him that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
See also: any, by, name, other, rose, smell, sweet
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a rose by any other name
  • a rose by any other name (would smell as sweet)
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • best foot forward
  • take to (something) like a duck to water
  • take to something like a duck to water
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • beck and call
  • like a duck to water
  • 57
References in periodicals archive
Epstein also notes that a rebranding effort for the 737 MAX would likely not fix the confidence issues facing the MAX, as "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Boeing 737 MAX rebranding wouldn't fix issues, says BofA/Merrill
Remember a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Stay healthy, keep off the pop and wear your name with pride, to us you'll always be our Gazza.
So what's in a name?
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," Shakespeare's Juliet gushes about her Romeo.
FRIENDS INDEED
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And Shakespeare Birthplace Trust director Roger Pringle said: "Of all the flowers, the rose is perhaps most closely associated with Shakespeare, so it is entirely appropriate that we should be able to launch William Shakespeare 2000 here where Shakespeare was born and grew up."
Does it smell as sweet?
That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title.
"What's in a name?": Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Samuel Daniel and the epitaph of 'Fair Rosamund.'