History Main / CodeName

* One of the {{Running Gag}}s on ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretShow'' is that the boss of the heroes has always a different codename and it's always something embarrassing.

* ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} Agents go by numerical designations that actually convey rank within the organization. Best example would be Sharon Carter a.k.a. ComicBook/Agent13.
* The comics from which the page quote movie is derived use this just as extensively, if not more.
* Before she became the superhero Ms. Marvel/Binary/Warbird/Captain Marvel (she changes her superhero name almost as often as Hank Pym), [[ComicBook/MsMarvel Carol Danvers]] was a fighter pilot with the code name "Cheeseburger", because she'd vomited at one point after lunch. She specifically points out that you just don't get the awesome names outside of movies.
* ''Franchise/GreenLantern''. Hal Jordan's call sign is "Highball". Jillian Pearlman's, a co-pilot, girlfriend and Star Sapphire, is "Cowgirl" because of her Texas accent and cowboy hat.

* In ''ComicBook/OneHundredBullets'', every member of the Minutemen has one: the Wolf, the Dog, the Bastard, the Rain, the Point Man, the Monster, the Saint, the Boy, and the Girl.
* Except for Adam, the core cast of ''ComicBook/ClanDestine'' have these. Rory (The Crimson Crusader) and Pandora (Imp) picked theirs out when they started to play superhero; they decided to call Walter "Wallop" partly as a pun on his name and partly because it was a fair description of his powers. "Cuckoo" was Kay's family nickname, and "Hex" was Domenic's stage name when he worked as an EscapeArtist. (No explanation for Samantha's "Argent," although presumably it's a poetic description of her silvery armor.)
* In Creator/MarvelComics' ComicBook/TheNewUniverse the "ComicBook/{{DP7}}" group on the run from the sanatorium they were being held in tried using code names, but after they set them up nobody ever used them except "Skuzz," whose power was an acidic exudate coming out of his pours making anything he touches disintegrate in a few minutes. And that was his nickname ''before'' he got his powers.
* Crusader, a [[DefectorFromDecadence Skrull infiltrator who decided he liked humans better than Skrulls and became a superhero]], went out of his way to choose a code name that describes ''nothing'' about his origin, personality, or especially powers. He advised Curtis Doyle, a rookie hero who'd picked up a "Cosmic Ring", to do the same. The kid ignores the advice and calls himself Freedom Ring. [[spoiler:Freedom Ring later gets killed after [[TooDumbToLive specifically calling attention to the source of his powers]], leading to the villain of the story cutting off his finger to depower him.]]
* Played with in ''ComicBook/RedHoodAndTheOutlaws'': they have them, but generally use their real ones.
* ''ComicBook/PowerPack'' used them out in public. Originally, Alex was Gee, Jack was Mass Master, Julie was Lightspeed, and Katie was Energizer. Later, the powers changed kids after getting transferred to a Super-Snark for a time, Alex was Destroyer, Jack was Zero-G, Katie was Counterweight, and Julie was Molecula. [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Franklin Richards]] was Tattletale when he joined the group.
* Starfox, an Avenger from the '80s, was given his codename because the president found his real name (Eros) to be "too provocative." The Wasp gave him the name Starfox because he's "a foxy guy" who's "from the stars."

* ''ComicBook/TheUmbrellaAcademy'' has the titular academy members, each of whom have several names.

* Color code names are used by the criminals in ''The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3'': Mr. Blue, Mr. Gray, Mr. Brown and Mr. Green. (Note that in this case the color-coding is partially hidden by the fact that these four are also normal English/American last names.)

* In the ''Codename Omega'' stories, unsurprisingly, several characters have codenames: Nuke, Navy, Princess, Knight, Valiant, Victory and, of course, Omega. They have rules about when to use the codenames to prevent their real identities being revealed, even after some of them have been identified. Nuke is unique in that he's the only character whose real name is never revealed even to those on his team.

* In ''VisualNovel/NineHoursNinePersonsNineDoors'', the main characters go by these throughout the game in order to protect their identities. Each codename corresponds with the number their bracelet has been assigned. Made better in that many of these names turn out to have double meanings.

** #5 averts the trope, as he goes by his given name Junpei due to June revealing it to everyone before they decided to use codenames.

** #9 averts the trope, as the 9th Man [[spoiler:rejects the use of a codename before dying]]. His real family name is [[spoiler:Kubota, ''ku'' being [[GoroawaseNumber Japanese for "nine"]],]] which foreshadows a twist at the end of the game.

** President Barack Obama's secret service codename is "Renegade". At least with the Obama family, all the members of the First Family have codenames that start with the same letter (Michelle's is "Renaissance"). The same held true for the Clintons -- some of whom are still under Secret Service protection -- UsefulNotes/{{Bill|Clinton}} was "Eagle", UsefulNotes/{{Hillary|RodhamClinton}} was "Evergreen" and Chelsea was "Energy". The Cheneys also followed this pattern -- Dick Cheney was "Angler", his wife Lynne was "Author", and his daughters Liz and Mary were "Apollo" and "Alpine", respectively. George W. Bush's is "Trailblazer", while Eleanor Roosevelt's codename was "Rover".
** Every time a new president is elected, the Secret Service comes up with codenames for the president's family (and, if ''Series/TheWestWing'' is to believed, the senior staff--CJ Cregg's was "Flamingo")...and then the media immediately reports what they are. The presidential codenames are more for brevity and clarity in communications rather than secrecy, as confirmed by a former Secret Service agent.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Cosmopol}}'', it's common for player characters to be known by a street name or callsign in the context of their (often illegal) "night job", and if the character is a {{hacker}} who belongs to [[LaResistance the Zero One]], callsigns are always used instead of real names.

** In ''VideoGame/MetalGear2'', none of the heroic-aligned characters use codenames besides Snake himself, and it is referenced that a couple of them formerly had codenames they have discarded. This is supposed to be a change that Campbell made after he took over. In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', Snake reacts with surprise that the members of FOXHOUND are now using codenames, which was a practice reintroduced by Liquid Snake.

* ''WesternAnimation/DisneysPrepAndLanding'' loves this. Naturally, they're all holiday-themed. One of the protagonists is 'Tree Skirt', for example.

* ''VideoGame/TokyoXtremeRacer'' has very big conventions of this for every rival you face in every installment in the series. These code names, Battle Decision Names, are based on ''every different factor'' and it varies on situation. A few rivals have parts of their real names attached to BAD names, but their full real names are never revealed until you check their profiles.

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': The superhero incarnation of Gwen Stacy originally went by Spider-Woman, then changed it to ComicBook/SpiderGwen, which caused obvious problems. She eventually adopted the name ''[[ComicBook/GhostSpider2019 Ghost-Spider]]'', which originated as a nickname given to her by ComicBook/MilesMorales during the climax of ''ComicBook/SpiderGeddon''.

* The superhero incarnation of [[Franchise/SpiderMan Gwen Stacy]] originally went by Spider-Woman, then changed it to ComicBook/SpiderGwen, which caused obvious problems. She eventually adopted the name "Ghost Spider", which originated as a nickname given to her by ComicBook/MilesMorales during the climax of ''ComicBook/SpiderGeddon''.

In order to protect [[SecretIdentity one's identity]], or discuss a [[ThePlan 'Top Secret']] mission over a static-y radio, a {{Superhero}}, International Spy, military operation, etc. will use a Code Name. For costumed heroes in particular, this ''NomDeGuerre'' will be indicative of their powers, origin, or national affiliation. Spies, missions, and objects will usually have a randomly assigned alias (and in comedies, [[EmbarrassingNickname silly ones at that]]). Often it's so descriptive as to defeat the purpose of not using a real name-- "This intercepted enemy report says Iron Bull is in town for Operation Fireball. I wonder [[TheBigGuy what physical characteristics]] he might have and [[StuffBlowingUp what the purpose of his mission]] might be?"

A common way of parodying it is a character with a stupid or silly codename who complains that, when the time came to choose names, all the good ones were taken. Frequently they claim it was a choice between their current codename or something far worse.

* Expect the names of secret operations and such to portend the intended goal, with diabolical ones sounding especially ominous - such as: the [[Anime/VariableGeo "Black Goddess" project]], or [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra "The Revelation"]].
* In more realistic stories, code names may be deliberately meaningless. (For instance, the real-life "Operation Paperclip" had nothing to do with paperclips.) They might not even be identifiable as code names at all; a spy named Judy Malone might be codenamed "Margaret Thompson".

The trope started [[DiscreditedTrope going out of fashion]] somewhat, as evidenced by the fact that ComicBookMoviesDontUseCodenames. Though they remain popular in SpyFiction.

** Originally, the codenames for the Foxhound Unit were designed in such a way that the animal represented, obtusely, your rank, while the adjective represented, also obtusely, your particular style or skill. This was then completely subverted in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', but there are still some references, even as late as ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'', of Fox being the highest possible ranking/codename for a Foxhound operative. Snake is, oddly enough, somewhere near the bottom (in the original ''VideoGame/MetalGear1'', Solid Snake was a rookie).

* ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' with J.C. Denton and Paul Denton: -''Welcome to the coalition JC, might as well start using your code name.''
* The ''VideoGame/WingCommander'' series makes use of callsigns for pilots, most of which sound really cool: Maniac, Angel, Bossman, Knight, Spirit, Doomsday, Jazz, Paladin, Shotglass, Shadow, Crossbones, etc. ''In Wing Commander III'', they even gave the main character of the series the callsign Maverick (most famous from its use in the movie ''Top Gun'', one of Chris Roberts' inspirations to make ''Wing Commander'').
* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', all members of Organization XIII have three code names. A Number in roman numeral form, an anagram of their "true name" with an X added, and a longer title relating to their powers or fighting style. For example, Xaldin's three code names are III, Xaldin (from his original name Dilan), and "The Whirlwind Lancer".
* ''Franchise/StarWars: VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'''s main character is better known by his codename, "Starkiller", rather than his real name, Galen Marek. It's almost an IAmNotShazam situation, if it weren't for the fact that Galen is often referred to as "Starkiller" in the various media based on ''Force Unleashed''. 'Starkiller' of course was Luke's surname in the earliest versions of the script, as well as the surname of [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Taris' former best deathmatch duelist (now deceased)]].
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''. W17 at first didn't care about names, but on her mission to sneak onto the good guys' group, she made up her own codename 'Lamia Loveless'. The codename now sounds more common than the real name.
* Barring Captain Price, the SAS guys from ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty 4: VideoGame/ModernWarfare'' don't go by their real names, so you get "Soap" and "Gaz". In ''Modern Warfare 2'', the Task Force 141 have the same tradition, so you get characters named things like "Roach", "Worm", "Ghost" and "Rook", while Captains Price and [=MacTavish=] go by their rank and surnames (Price still calls him "Soap", though).

* ''Creator/TomClancy's VideoGame/{{HAWX}}'':
** The PlayerCharacter supposedly has the callsign "Shade", but it's used maybe two times in the game, most characters preferring to use his last name, "Crenshaw". In a reversal, his wingmates "Casper" and "Talon" are not given any names other than their callsigns.

* Every member of the Hero's Guild in the ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'' series, including the option to purchase from a variety of options for your character. Well, everyone except [[TheSmartGuy Garth]].

* Several characters in ''VideoGame/AlphaProtocol'' are known only by their codenames such as Albatross, SIE or Sis. Even your character's name "Michael Thorton" is stated to be an alias.
* ''VideoGame/AlphaPrime'' has [[TheMole Coral Snake]], a hacker whose true identity becomes a major question for the good guys and bad guys. Is ultimately revealed to be [[spoiler:Livia]], who, appropriate to AnimalStereotypes, was deceitfully [[spoiler:playing both sides against each other from the beginning]].
* ''VideoGame/TokyoXtremeRacer'' has very big conventions of this for every rival you face in every installment in the series. These code names, Battle Decision Names, are based on ''every different factor'' and it varies on situation. A few rivals have parts of their real names attached to BAD names, but their full real names are never revealed until you check their profiles.
* Most of the ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' games from ''[[VideoGame/AceCombat3Electrosphere Electrosphere]]'' onwards give the player character (and later, his wingmen) TAC names that are distinct from their flight callsigns - [[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar Wardog 1]] is "Blaze" (flying alongside "Archer", "Chopper", "Edge", [[spoiler:and later "Swordsman"]]), [[VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar Galm 1 and 2]] are "Cipher" and "Pixy", [[VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation Garuda 1 and 2]] are "Talisman" and "Shamrock", and [[VideoGame/AceCombat2 Scarface 1]] gains "Phoenix" in [[VideoGame/AceCombatAssaultHorizonLegacy his game's remake]].
* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'''s Imperial Agent class storyline, both Imperial Intelligence and the Republic Strategic Information Service use code names to refer to their agents. Intelligence prefers a position and [[YouAreNumberSix number]] (such as Fixer Six or [[PlayerCharacter Cipher Nine]]), with the position referring to their general role as a field agent, analyst, technician, etc. The SIS [[spoiler:or at least the cell you end up infiltrating]] evidently prefers codenames drawn from [[ThemeNaming a shared source]] such as [[TarotMotifs what is basically Space Tarot]].

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto2'': Each of the gang bosses bestow a codename upon you : Gecko for the Zaibatsu, Jumbo for the Loonies, Kosai for the Yakuza, Rooster (Tough Guy in some translations) for the Rednecks, Grasshopper for the Krishnas, THC-303 for the SRS and Comrade for the Russians.
* ''VideoGame/Persona5'': The heroes each use an alias when moonlighting as the Phantom Thieves - including Morgana, who doesn't even have a SecretIdentity to protect. Morgana insists on code names because they work as Phantom Thieves in the MentalWorld, and using your real name inside someone's subconscious repeatedly could have unwanted side effects in the physical world: Protagonist/Akira/Ren -- Joker, Morgana -- Mona, Ryuji -- Skull, Ann -- Panther, Yusuke -- Fox, Makoto -- Queen, Futaba -- Navi/[[DubNameChange Oracle]], Haru -- Noir, Goro -- Crow and Kasumi -- Violet.
** In ''VideoGame/Persona5Strikers'' have new characters named, an [[ArtificialIntelligence AI]] named Sophia -- Sophie and an Inspector named Zenkichi -- Wolf.
* Millium Orion from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' is first introduced as "White Rabbit" when reporting about her mission. In fact, every known member of Ironblood has a code name; Millium, Lechter Arundel -- Scarecrow, Claire Rieveldt -- Icy Maiden, and [[spoiler:Rufus Albarea]] -- Jade Rook. The game doesn't use their code name much after their identity is revealed, however.
* ''VideoGame/Code7'':
** "Episode 1: Threading": When you're asking Sam a few questions about yourself because you have LaserGuidedAmnesia, you learn that your agent name is Redwood. IASA agents are supposed to only refer to each other using those, but you and Sam cheated and told each other your real ones. Later on, you learn that [[spoiler:Zoya Ilyushin's]] code name is Spruce.
** "Episode 2: Memory": All of the EIU agents have them. They're usually [[AnimalThemeNaming names of animals]] (Bear, Coyote, Lion, Rabbit and Raven) or trees (Berch and Spruce).
* The [[spoiler:Circle Consortium]] from ''VideoGame/AnnoMutationem'' is an NGOSuperpower that operates in strict secrecy and many layers of cover-ups and obfuscation from the public and even their own employees. The senior scientists simply go by single letters of the English alphabet, being referred to as "Dr. G" or simply, "G".

** The German military had a bad habit of using project code names which were [[RevealingCoverUp superficially cryptic but actually hinted towards the nature of that which they were supposed to disguise]]. British scientists determined that a device referred to in intelligence reports as "Wotan" was a single-beam navigation system; "Wotan" (a.k.a. Odin) is a one-eyed god in Anglo-Saxon mythology. There was also "Operation Sea Lion", the plan for a naval invasion of Britain, a country often symbolized by a lion. Yeah, good thinking on that one. Most infamously there was "Operation Barbarossa". The medieval emperor Barbarossa was known for - after a series of smaller wars to expand his empire - leading an army of Crusaders to the Holy Land with the intent to definitively seize it from the Muslims. Given the explicit Nazi opposition to Communism, desire to rule (then-Soviet-occupied) Eastern Europe, and increasingly tenuous non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, it wasn't hard for analysts to decode "Crusaders = Nazis, Muslims = Soviets, Operation Barbarossa = attack the Soviets". Oh, and then a complete copy of the war plans were acquired by Soviet intelligence.

** Norwegian Air UK, a subsidy of Norwegian Air Shuttle, uses the adorable "Rednose", after its planes' livery (Norwegian airplanes have red noses).