History Main / CodeName

** China Airlines uses "Dynasty", after [[ImperialChina the ancient ruling dynasties of China]].

* In ''Literature/WearingTheCape'' most superheroes have codenames that are descriptive of their power or just cool-sounding. Atlas gives Hope the temporary codename "Astra", which he says is Latin for “star". She keeps it, despite later finding out it's the plural form--"stars".

* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'': Shego's name comes from her time as a superhero. She was on Team Go with her brothers Hego, Mego, and Wego. Shego kept her name and costume even after she became a villain.

* ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} Agents go by numerical designations that actually convey rank within the organization. Best example would be Sharon Carter a.k.a. ComicBook/{{Agent 13}}.

** The "Canon Fodder" story arc in ''ComicBook/RainbowRowellsRunaways'' had the teens decide to become superheroes for real by [[LegacyCharacter taking up the legacy of the J-Team]]. With the exception of Gert Yorkes (who was held back from getting a costume by Doc Justice), all of them took up the codenames of former J-Team members, with Victor Mancha becoming Kid Justice, Nico Minoru becoming the Gloom, Karolina Dean becoming Princess Justice, Molly Hayes becoming Blue-J, and Chase Stein becoming Gun Arm.

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'': 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.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* At the beginning of the WesternAnimation/SouthPark miniseries ''Imaginationland'', while trying to catch a leprechaun, Cartman calls himself "Dragonwind", while giving his friends less than flattering code names, including "Blackie" for Token, and "Faggot" for Butters.
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' has [[BadassNormal Robin]], whose [=Codename=] (like his costume) is a throwback to his former life in the circus. [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Cyborg]] and [[{{Animorphism}} Beast Boy's]] [=Codenames=] are very much of the descriptive variety, but [[CuteBruiser 'Starfire']] and [[DarkMagicalGirl 'Raven']] are actually the girls' names (or in the former case, the English translation of her name).

* Artemis from ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' plays with this. Artemis is her given first name and also makes a very fitting codename when in costume, given she uses a bow and arrow. When she starts attending the same school as Dick Grayson (Robin), he figures out her identity easily (although being skilled in detective work doesn't hurt). You'd think that this would be an issue if supervillains managed to find out her identity, but that is probably hindered by the fact that [[spoiler:her father and sister are members of [[BigBadEnsemble the Light]], so going after her or her mother would just create unnecessary trouble. To prove that point, Sportsmaster and Cheshire go on a RoaringRevengeOfRampage in Season 2 when they think that someone killed Artemis, and Season 3 reveals that the Light knows that messing with the families of superheroes/supervillains is a bad idea.]]
* ''DisneysPrepAndLanding'' loves this. Naturally, they're all holiday-themed. One of the protagonists is 'Tree Skirt', for example.

* ''Manga/CaseClosed''. Members of the Black Organization are known by the names of alcoholic beverages: Gin, Vodka, Vermouth, Kir, Chianti, Korn, Bourbon, and so forth. Only Kir, Vermouth and Bourbon have their real names revealed so far, in order: [[spoiler: Hidemi Hondo, Sharon Vineyard and Tooru Amuro.]]

* ''Anime/VariableGeo'': The "Black Goddess" project is the means by which [[NebulousEvilOrganization The Jahana Group]] intends to resurrect their leader, [[spoiler: [[BigBad Miranda Jahana]]]], which is the crux of the series' plot. To achieve their goal, they need to find a suitably powerful host body for her disembodied spirit to inhabit and they've found the perfect candidate: [[spoiler: [[{{Deuteragonist}} Satomi Yajima]]]].

* 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.

** Vanya Hargreeves/Number Seven/[[spoiler: The White Violin, given the last by the evil Conductor who transformed her into a supervillain who wears a white suit and plays a white violin in order to end the world]].

* ''Fanfic/DateAReLive'' follows the example from its above-mentioned source material and goes beyond that such as there being code names for the other inverse forms, [[spoiler: besides Origami whose inverse code name is still Devil]], such as Sovereign for Tohka Sorceress for Natsumi and new ones created for extracanonical spirits such as Watcher for [[spoiler: Mayuri from ''[[Anime/DateALiveMayuriJudgementMayuri Judgement]]]] and Matrix for [[spoiler: Marina Arusu]]. But in the case of [[spoiler: Rio Sonogami]], she is the one who holds the codename and role of Phantom as the [[spoiler: Spirit passing down Sephira Crystals]].

* ''Fanfic/ForTheGloryOfIrk'' reveals that "Red" and "Purple" aren't the real names of the Tallest (who are actually named Voel and Therron, respectfully). They're called that instead because it's tradition for Irkens to take new names when they're enthroned as Tallest. [[spoiler: When Xia and Vero become Tallest after Voel and Therron are forced on the run by the [[AIIsACrapshoot Control Brains]], they take the new names "X" and "V", respectfully.]]

* ''Film/ReservoirDogs'' was probably inspired by ''Pelham'', using color-themed codenames for a group of crooks. The heist boss assigns them the names Mr. White, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown, Mr. Orange and Mr. Pink. The crook dubbed Mr. Pink tries to object, but the boss insists on picking the names himself. He mentions having allowed crooks on a past job to name themselves and it resulted in a fight over who got to be Mr. Black. In fact, each [=Codename=] fits the character perfectly. Mr. White is the most moral of the group. Mr. Blonde is in it purely ForTheEvulz. Mr Orange has his outer layers peeled off throughout the film. Mr. Pink [[spoiler: survives the film by hiding, something considered effeminate]]. Mr. Blue [[spoiler: gets captured by the police, i.e. "The Boys in Blue."]] We don't really see much of Brown, though.

** For security reasons, Lili, Eve, and Violette never use Captain Cameron's real name when undercover, instead referring to him as "Uncle Edward" or "our shared uncle." Allenton reveals that another of Cameron’s code names is [[spoiler: Evelyn]].

* And as ''Series/AlloAllo'' was based on ''Series/SecretArmy'', codenames appear there too, most noticeably for Lisa: Code Name Yvette, [[spoiler: as well as Albert, who adopts the Yvette moniker after Lisa is [[AnyoneCanDie killed in a bombing raid]]. This is to throw the Germans off the scent as they would be looking for a woman.]]

--> '''Tony:''' Palmer, what do you think about "Blacklung?"
--> '''Jimmy:''' *looking terrified* It's a terrible way to die.
--> '''Tony:''' No, as your codename.
--> '''Jimmy:''' *relieved* Oh. Blacklung. I like it.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' the military uses code names when referring to the three primary vectors of the Blacklight Virus. Alex Mercer, our VillainProtagonist, is ZEUS; [[spoiler: Elizabeth Greene is MOTHER]]; and [[spoiler: her child is PARIAH]].

* 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]].

* ''Webcomic/TruLifeAdventures'' features Leonard Zachary's QuirkyMinibossSquad, all of whom have codenames [[spoiler: named after computers or operating systems]].

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' has the freelancer agents, each named after a different state. [[ThrowawayCountry Except Florida.]] [[NoodleIncident Poor Florida.]] [[spoiler: Well, there ''was'' an Agent Florida...]] Sarge also has a habit of using code names like "Maroon One" for Simmons.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': The piece of parchment that lead Sokka to the discovery of the [[spoiler: impending solar eclipse]] was simply titled: "The Darkest Day in Fire Nation History". Once he knew what it meant, he began planning an invasion of the Fire Nation to coincide on the same day. Thus, the day of the invasion was code named: "The Day of Black Sun".

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Korra and Mako search Republic City, following Bolin's abduction by [[{{Ninja}} The Equalists]]. During which, they happen across one of their fliers, telling their supporters of an upcoming event known simply as "The Revelation". Since it contained no other information, Korra tries shaking down the newsie she saw handing them out in the park. But he said he didn't know what it was about either, since [[BigBad Amon]] had said they'd find out during the event itself. After he runs off, Mako notices something on the back of the flier along with the others the newsie dropped: when properly assembled, they formed a map of Republic City with an "X" marking a warehouse down at the docks. With the flier itself doubling as one's 'invitation', which is how he and Korra infiltrate the assembly. As Amon promised, he told his followers why he had gathered them there, [[spoiler: to tell them of how he'd allegedly been [[DarkMessiah blessed by the Spirits]] with the ability to take someone's bending away - just as the Avatar had done years ago. Followed by a demonstration of his "gift", with Bolin being among his intended victims]].

* In ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' the military uses code names when referring to the three primary vectors of the Blacklight Virus. Alex Mercer, DesignatedHero, is ZEUS; [[spoiler: Elizabeth Greene is MOTHER]]; and [[spoiler: her child is PARIAH]].

* Crusader, a [[DefectorFromDecadence Skrull infiltrator who decided he like humans better than Skrulls and became a superhero]], went out of his way to chose 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 "[[GreenLanternRing Cosmic Ring]]", to do the same. The kid [[WhatAnIdiot 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.]]

** Pan Am used "Clipper" as a reference to its international clipper services.

** Less common, but great for those that can pull off handing one out, is the callsign that ''sounds'' badass at first glance, but actually has a deeply embarrassing story behind it. A text book example of this style is "Mangler", who got the name not for his prowess, but in reference to an incident involving his man-bits and a recalcitrant zipper.

* ''Series/LeBureauDesLegendes'': Every clandestine agent receives a code name, many of which are based on expletives used by comic series ''[[Franchise/{{Tintin}} Adventures of Tintin]]'' character Captain Haddock. Each Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) target also receives a code name. Some of the former are Malotru (lout), Phénomène (phenomenon), MAG (moule à gaufres - waffle iron), Mille Sabords (a thousand portholes), Escogriffe (beanpole), and Cyclone. Some of the latter are Chevalier, Mother Teresa, Caramel, Rex, and Shahanah.

->''"'ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}}'? 'ComicBook/{{Storm}}'. 'ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}'. And what do they call [[ComicBook/ProfessorX you]]? 'Wheels'? This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard."''

* An episode of ''Mighty Ships'' set on the largest carrier in the world, the ''USS Nimitz'', showed a rookie pilot getting his callsign, which is usually done by consensus of other pilots in the rookie's flight group. This particular pilot had made no mistakes even when landing on a carrier at night, but when catapulted off for the exercise had, in his own words, screamed like a little girl. Another pilot noted that "screams like a girl" could be [[FunWithAcronyms acronymed]] into "slag", which is also a British slang term meaning, roughly, slut, and (though this wasn't mentioned on the show) is originally an industrial term for waste product from smelting. It's also the name of a [[{{Transformers}} Dinobot]], so it's still kinda [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs badass]].

* ''Manga/DetectiveConan''. Members of the Black Organization are known by the names of alcoholic beverages: Gin, Vodka, Vermouth, Kir, Chianti, Korn, Bourbon, and so forth. Only Kir, Vermouth and Bourbon have their real names revealed so far, in order: [[spoiler: Hidemi Hondo, Sharon Vineyard and Tooru Amuro.]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'': The heroes each use an alias when moonlighting as the Phantom Thieves - including Morgana, who doesn't even have a SecretIdentity to protect: 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 the WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail "army", Strong Bad orders the Cheat to spy on Homestar's "Homestarmy", but the Cheat insists that Strong Bad call him by his "commando name" [[AtrociousAlias Firebert]].
** Firebert eventually inspired the creation of "Cheat Commandos", a parody of ''G.I. Joe'' where all the characters (aside from [[NonActionGuy Reynold]]) have silly code-names like Gunhaver, Silent Rip, and Reinforcements.