The phrase "What's in a name?" comes from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. In the play, Juliet argues that the name of a person does not define their true nature.

Here's her dialogue related to this in act 2, scene 2 of the play:

Juliet: '...What is Juliet?'

'That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.'

In this context, she means that she's not interested in Romeo calling her "Juliet" because there will be no change as Juliet even without that name will hold the characteristics, traits, and essences associated with it.

Thus the meaning conveyed is - The true worth or the quality of a person or a thing does not depend on it name or a particular designation rather its fundamental characteristics .