About

The name "Haruno" means "spring field" and "Sakura" means "cherry blossom," which is cherished in Japan due to its beauty and short life span (sakura blossoms have historically been associated with samurai). In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol for feminine beauty, and love in the language of herbs.

In the June 2006 issue of the American version of Shonen Jump, Masashi Kishimoto (in the voice of Kakashi) stated that Sakura would make the best ninja instructor, because "she has flaws in her personality, like stalking Sasuke, but Sakura is the closest to being normal". He also has stated that Sakura and Rock Lee were meant to symbolize human weakness (at least in the beginning of the show).

Sakura is a fairly popular character in Naruto. In Shonen Jump's character popularity polls, Sakura is frequently in the Top 10, making the Top 5 once.

Over the timeskip, Sakura has changed greatly by becoming stronger and more mature. Having become more comfortable with herself, Sakura no longer relies on Inner Sakura to express her true feelings, instead openly expressing whatever emotion Inner Sakura would have displayed. Sakura has also become closer with Naruto despite their long time apart, being able to work well together and otherwise being more accepting of his personality traits. She worries more for Naruto than she did in Part I, crying for his hardships and wanting to do whatever she can to help him. Sakura's feelings towards Sasuke have also changed; she seems to hold Sasuke more as a dear friend than a mere crush. When they meet again after their time apart, Sakura is openly willing to attack him if it means she can protect others and at the same time bring Sasuke home. Still, Sakura is not willing to let someone speak ill of Sasuke, and beats anyone who badmouths him in an instant.

Sakura's natural control of her chakra has been taken to new heights over the timeskip, an ability utilized to its fullest by the training she has done with Tsunade. With her excellent chakra control, Sakura has turned into an excellent combat medic-nin, and has shown herself to be able to heal fatal injuries with relatively little effort even when more experienced medics would deem it a lost cause. In her training to become a medic-nin, Sakura has also acquired the ability to pick up on an enemy's movements in a short period of time, as good medics need to be able to survive a battle if they are to fulfill their purpose.

If she cannot avoid a battle, Sakura can rely on the strength taught to her by Tsunade. By building up and releasing her chakra with precise timing, Sakura can easily decimate any obstacle and turn it to rubble. Over time and through repeated use, Sakura has become able to use this strength instinctively and does not need to put any effort into using it. This strength, coupled with her medical expertise, her new disposition, and beauty has caused many to see Sakura as another Tsunade, and perhaps even capable of surpassing her master.