Valencia - the name means strong and healthy, and it's just fun to say!
Carol

I like "Incognito", "Conundrum", and "Distant Drums" (the names and the roses)!

Sunsprite (or Freesia)--perfect for the bright yellow fragrant blooms

Crimson Glory--kinda says it all, no?

First Prize--the epitome of a show bench HT

Reine des Violettes--yes, she is queen of the violets
Curly Pink--well, yes, the petals are curly & pink

What could be more fitting a name for a rose than one which became a sensation just after WWII--that of Peace? It had a prominent place in my Dad's rose bed. And as a kid in the 50s, I only knew the name of one rose, and it was Peace. Everyone called it "The Peace Rose." And yes, I know it's first name was Gloria Dei.
I also love the name Evelyn, both for a beautiful rose, and that of two beautiful people in my life.
Finally, another favorite name is that of Julia Child, a large, strong woman, just as my two Julia roses are large, strong roses, that bloom continuously when it 100 plus degrees outside, and after other roses have conceded defeat in the face of plummeting temperatures in the fall.
Diane
Julia in July, 104 degrees.

Had to think about that. Don't know if I could nominate any one, but narrowing it down, I guess personally I'm drawn to the romantic French names, the Duchesses and Belles and Mmes.

Two others I love are Dainty Bess and Hebe's Lip.

Never had it but I think Fuzzy Wuzzy is cute for a mini moss.

In the U.S., it will always be Peace, but I think Gloria Dei is a beautiful name.

Aggripina, too, the much respected mother of Germanicus. Seems prettier than Cramoisi Superior.

Almost anything French, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Coquette des Blanches, Reine des Violettes, Duchesse de Brabant, etc. etc.

Those Julia Childs are huge! Good grief, I hope mine don't get that big!

I like Gourmet Popcorn and Rainbow's End (minis).

There are many I like, but "The Lark Ascending" really captures my heart.

Reading Ingrid's post mentioning Coquette des Blanches, I thought of the rose, Colette, whose name is a perfect for the peachy pink, sort of frilly rose it is (though the real Colette was probably not very frilly). The Prince as a name for a dark, smoldering, red rose is evocative of some kind of tragic Shakespearean romance (or something or other). I like the name Ebb Tide for a deep purple rose, and Blue Bayou for a very bluish rose. Diane

Just want to second the name, Dainty Bess, which I love. It fits those exquisite and delicate looking blooms so perfectly (though Bess is one tough cookie). Diane

I think Queen Elizabeth is a good name for a great rose, at least it has been for me, enduring; also Pristine for a beautiful rose that is very pristine. And a rose I have, Forgotten Dreams. There is really nothing spectacular about it, kind of average as far as looks, but a good garden rose, wonderful fragrance and it blooms and blooms.

Forgotten Dreams

Earth Song is another good one.

I like the found names best- "Grandmother's Hat," "Rusty's Angels Camp Orange," "Pulich Children," and "Secret Garden Musk Climber" are some of my absolute favorites.

Also- Anything I get to use the French pronunciation on! Duchesse de Brabant is super fun to say.

I like the found rose names too. Also, sometimes old rose names mutate. There is a funny story in the Australian Tea Rose book. Evidently, Duchesse de Brabant was growing all over Australia, but the identity had been lost, and they didn't know who it was. One of the other official names of DdB is 'Comtesse de Labarthe' (I have no idea - perhaps the same lady had both titles?). Anyway, when a rose expert from Europe showed up and identified it, its local name was "Countess Bertha". The expert said "how could anyone get that name from 'Comtesse de Labarthe'?". The Australian tea lady said "Oh, Australians can!"

I also like that very popular, very surviving old roses frequently have several common names, like Old Blush being called "Common Monthly" etc. HMF has TWENTY names listed for this rose!

Jackie

Sweet Surrender

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Peace

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I like the name of my Tattooed Lady and the rose really looks tattooed!

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And Trump Card because I know the story behind the naming of it.
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Jackie- Countess Bertha! Oh man. I love to imagine the old pioneers- either here in the US or in Australia, lovingly tending their roses. I especially love the idea of the roses being brought over by the Chinese immigrants to California. I keep hoping we'll find out more about those roses.

I like all Souvenirs, but Docteur Jamain is my favorite.
I love the literary ones, i.e. Falstaff, Young Lycidas, Wildeve.
How can one improve on "Mutabilis"?
"Chrysler Imperial" -- goes back to childhood -- elegance personified.
Variegata di Bologna -- as different as it sounds.
It's easier to remember the bad names, alas.
Sylvia