A celebration of a perfectly good name

Ross.

Throughout history, humanity has produced many people named Ross. Some were incredible. Some were just all right. We honour them all.

▼ the rosses

Notable Rosses of our time

🎨
Bob Ross
The People's Ross

Happy little trees. Happy little clouds. Happy little everything. The man made painting a spiritual experience and convinced millions of people they could do it. They largely couldn't, but they felt great.

★★★★★ — no notes
🎤
Diana Ross
The Supreme Ross

Led The Supremes, launched a solo career that never stopped, got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, wore increasingly spectacular outfits. Icon. Capital I. Non-negotiable.

★★★★★ — a legend
🦕
Ross Geller
The Fictional Ross

Paleontologist. Twice-divorced by Season 2. Could play the bagpipes extremely badly. Said "we were on a break" approximately 87 times. Annoying but weirdly endearing. A truly exhausting man.

★★★☆☆ — we were on a break
🎙️
Jonathan Ross
The Wossy Ross

British chat show royalty. The man with the inability to pronounce the letter R who interviewed literally everyone worth interviewing for three decades. Genuinely great TV. The answerphone incident did happen though.

★★★★☆ — entertaining
🎤
Rick Ross
The Boss Ross

Rapper. Self-proclaimed Boss. Owner of many cars, many chains, many Wingstop franchises. His "BAWSE" ad-lib is a genuine gift to music. Also may or may not have been a corrections officer. Allegedly.

★★★★☆ — ugh
💪
Ross Kemp
The Hard Man Ross

Started as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders — hardest man in Walford. Then went and made documentaries in actual war zones and with actual gangs. Either extremely brave or completely unhinged. Possibly both.

★★★★☆ — respect
🎭
Ross Noble
The Chaotic Ross

Australian stand-up comedian whose shows have no set material and routinely go four hours long because he followed a thought about a badger for 45 minutes and forgot what he was talking about. Genius or madman.

★★★★★ — unhinged in the best way
🏎️
Ross Brawn
The Engineering Ross

F1 technical director who helped Schumacher win seven world championships, then bought a failing team, renamed it Mercedes, and won eight constructors' titles in a row. The most understated dynasty in sport.

★★★★★ — quietly dominant
📺
Charlie Ross
The Bargain Hunt Ross

Auctioneer and Bargain Hunt regular. A man so comfortable talking about antique teapots that it becomes genuinely riveting. The unsung hero of daytime television. Every gran's favourite.

★★★★☆ — underrated
"We were on a break!"
— Ross Geller, approximately 87 times, Friends (1994–2004)

Official Ross Tier List

Highly scientific. Not open for debate.

S
Bob Ross Diana Ross Ross Brawn
A
Ross Noble Rick Ross Ross Kemp
B
Jonathan Ross Charlie Ross
C
Ross Geller
D
Any Ross who has ever said "well, actually"