It's probably a good idea to note that there are various sources that state that Vardan is an Armenized name of Parthian origin. Since Parthian is a now-extinct Iranian language, this means that the name is ultimately of Iranian origin. Listed below are a few examples of sources that claim the name is of Iranian origin:Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2431 (in English)Http://name.interes.ge/dreams.php?action=view&id=384&from=action=search|word=%E1%83%95%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C%7Ctype=latest (in Georgian)Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D5%8E%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%B6#Old_Armenian (in English)(The name Vardan is also used in modern Georgia, hence the Georgian source. The Georgian source claims it means "hero", by the way.)Also, this source (under the paragraph 'Proper names') claims that Vardan came from the Middle Persian name Wardâ:Http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Culture/iranian_elements_georgian.htmBut even if the name is ultimately of Iranian origin, then it is still possible for the meaning of "rose" to stand (if we, for a moment, dismiss the possibility that the name may have a more military meaning). After all, the Armenian word "vard" meaning "rose" ultimately came from Parthian 'varta' or 'wâr' meaning "rose". Also check out these sources:Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2425Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D9%84#Etymology_2Also compare Arabic وردة (wárda) meaning "rose" at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A9#ArabicAll in all, the name isn't necessarily "born and bred in Armenia", i.e. not necessarily originally derived from the Armenian word for "rose". Instead, it can be viewed as the Armenian form of an (older) Parthian/Persian name. That Parthian/Persian name may mean "rose", but could also have a more military meaning, as some of the sources have mentioned.
Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2431 (in English)
Http://name.interes.ge/dreams.php?action=view&id=384&from=action=search|word=%E1%83%95%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%93%E1%83%90%E1%83%9C%7Ctype=latest (in Georgian)
Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D5%8E%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%B6#Old_Armenian (in English)
(The name Vardan is also used in modern Georgia, hence the Georgian source. The Georgian source claims it means "hero", by the way.)
Also, this source (under the paragraph 'Proper names') claims that Vardan came from the Middle Persian name Wardâ:
Http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Culture/iranian_elements_georgian.htm
But even if the name is ultimately of Iranian origin, then it is still possible for the meaning of "rose" to stand (if we, for a moment, dismiss the possibility that the name may have a more military meaning). After all, the Armenian word "vard" meaning "rose" ultimately came from Parthian 'varta' or 'wâr' meaning "rose". Also check out these sources:
Http://armenian.name/index.php?a=term&d=1&t=2425
Http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D9%84#Etymology_2
Also compare Arabic وردة (wárda) meaning "rose" at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A9#Arabic
All in all, the name isn't necessarily "born and bred in Armenia", i.e. not necessarily originally derived from the Armenian word for "rose". Instead, it can be viewed as the Armenian form of an (older) Parthian/Persian name. That Parthian/Persian name may mean "rose", but could also have a more military meaning, as some of the sources have mentioned.