Secret Service codename

President John F. Kennedy, codename "Lancer" with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, codename "Lace"

The United States Secret Service uses code names for U.S. presidents, first ladies, and other prominent persons and locations.^[1] The use of such names was originally for security purposes and dates to a time when sensitive electronic communications were not routinely encrypted; today, the names simply serve for purposes of brevity, clarity, and tradition.^[2][3] The Secret Service does not choose these names, however. The White House Communications Agency assigns them.^[4] WHCA was originally created as the White House Signal Detachment under Franklin Roosevelt.

The WHCA, an agency of the White House Military Office, is headquartered at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and consists of six staff elements and seven organizational units. WHCA also has supporting detachments in Washington, D.C. and various locations throughout the United States of America.

According to established protocol, good codewords are unambiguous words that can be easily pronounced and readily understood by those who transmit and receive voice messages by radio or telephone regardless of their native language. Traditionally, all family members' code names start with the same letter.^[5]

The codenames change over time for security purposes, but are often publicly known. For security, codenames are generally picked from a list of such 'good' words, but avoiding the use of common words which could likely be intended to mean their normal definitions.

Presidents of the United States and their families

• Woodrow Wilson
  • Edith Wilson – Grandma^[6]
• Franklin D. Roosevelt –
  • Eleanor Roosevelt – Rover^[7]
• Harry S. Truman – General^[4] or Supervise^[8][9]
  • Bess Truman – Sunnyside^[8][9][10]
• Dwight Eisenhower – Scorecard^[1] or Providence^[8][9][11]
  • Mamie Eisenhower – Springtime^{[8][9][10][11][12]}
• John F. Kennedy – Lancer^{[8][9][11][13]}
  • Jacqueline Kennedy – Lace^{[8][9][11][14]}
  • Caroline Kennedy – Lyric^[11]
  • John F. Kennedy, Jr. – Lark^[15]
  • Rose Kennedy – Coppertone^[8][16]
  • Ethel Kennedy – Sundance^[8]
• Lyndon Johnson – Volunteer^[8][9][11]
  • Lady Bird Johnson – Victoria^{[8][9][11][17]}
  • Lynda Bird Johnson – Velvet^[11][18]
  • Luci Baines Johnson – Venus^[8][11]
• Richard Nixon – Searchlight^{[8][9][11][12][12][13]}
  • Pat Nixon – Starlight^[8][11]
  • Patricia Nixon Cox – Sugarfoot^[12][19]
    • Edward F. Cox – Seminole^[12]
  • Julie Nixon Eisenhower – Sunbonnet^[12][19]
    • David Eisenhower – Sahara^[12]
• Gerald Ford – Passkey^[8][9] or Pass Key^[11]
  • Betty Ford – Pinafore^[8][11][20]
  • Susan Ford – Panda^[8][11][21]
  • Michael Ford – Professor^[11]
  • Jack Ford – Packman^[11]
• Jimmy Carter – Lock Master^[8] or Deacon^{[9][10][11][13]}
  • Rosalynn Carter – Lotus Petal^[8] or Dancer^[9][10][11]
  • Amy Carter – Dynamo^[10][11][22]
  • Chip Carter – Diamond^[16]
  • Jack Carter – Derby^[16]
  • Jeff Carter – Deckhand^[16]
• Ronald Reagan – Rawhide^{[8][9][11][13][23]}
  • Nancy Reagan – Rainbow^[8][9][11]
  • Maureen Reagan – Rhyme,^[8] Rosebud^[8][24]
  • Michael Reagan – Riddler^[8][24]
  • Patti Davis – Ribbon^[8][11]
  • Ron Reagan – Reliant^[8][11]
  • Doria Reagan – Radiant^[8][11]
• George H. W. Bush – Timberwolf^[8][9][11]
  • Barbara Bush – Snowbank^[8][25] or Tranquility^[9][11]
  • Marvin Bush – Tuner^[8][16]
  • Neil Bush – Trapline^[8][16]
  • Jeb Bush – Tripper^[8][16]
  • Dorothy Bush – Tiller^[8]
• Bill Clinton – Eagle^[9][11]
  • Hillary Clinton – Evergreen^[9][11]
  • Chelsea Clinton – Energy^[11]
  • Roger Clinton - Headache^[26][27]
• George W. Bush – Tumbler,^[8][9][28] later Trailblazer^[9][11][23]
  • Laura Bush – Tempo^[8][11][23]
  • Barbara Bush – Turquoise^[8][9][29]
  • Jenna Bush – Twinkle^[8][9][16]
• Barack Obama – Renegade^{[8][13][23][30]}
  • Michelle Obama – Renaissance^[8][23][31]
  • Malia Obama – Radiance^[9][23][32]
  • Sasha Obama – Rosebud^[9][23][32]
• Donald Trump – Mogul^[33][34]
  • Melania Trump - Muse^[34]

Vice Presidents of the United States and their families

• Spiro Agnew – Pathfinder^[12]
  • Judy Agnew – Photograph^[12]
• Nelson Rockefeller – Sandstorm^[16][35]
  • Happy Rockefeller – Shooting Star or Stardust^[35]
• Walter Mondale – Cavalier^[8][10] or Dragon^[16]
  • Joan Mondale – Cameo^[8][10][16]
  • Eleanor Mondale – Calico^[8][16]
  • Ted Mondale – Centurion^[8][16]
  • William Mondale – Chessman
• Dan Quayle – Scorecard^[8] or Supervisor^[8][16]
  • Marilyn Quayle – Sunshine^[8][16]

From left to right: President Bill Clinton, codename "Eagle"; Chelsea Clinton, codename "Energy"; Senator Hillary Clinton, codename "Evergreen"; Vice President Al Gore, codename "Sundance".

• Al Gore – Sundance^[9][16][30] or Sawhorse^[8]
  • Tipper Gore – Skylark^[8][36]
  • Karenna Gore – Smurfette^{[8][13][23][37]}
  • Kristen Gore – Silhouette^[8]
  • Sarah Gore – Screwdriver^[8]
  • Albert Gore III – Shortstop^[8]
• Dick Cheney – Angler^{[8][9][13][16]}
  • Lynne Cheney – Author^[8][38]
  • Mary Cheney – Alpine^[8][9]
  • Elizabeth Cheney – Apollo^[39]
• Joe Biden – Celtic^[8][9][40]
  • Jill Biden – Capri^[8][9][41]
• Mike Pence - Hoosier^[34]
  • Karen Pence - Hummingbird^[34]

Political candidates and their spouses

U.S. Secret Service codenames are often given to high-profile political candidates (such as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates), and their respective families and spouses who are assigned U.S. Secret Service protection. These codenames often differ from those held if they are elected or those from prior periods if they held positions needing codenames.

1968

• Eugene McCarthy – Instructor^[8][16]

1972

• George McGovern - Redwood^[42]

1976

• Jimmy Carter – Dasher or Deacon^[43]
• Bob Dole – Ramrod^[8][44][45]
  • Elizabeth Dole – Rainbow^[44][45]
• Morris Udall – Dashboard^[46]

1980

• John B. Anderson – Miracle,^[8] Starburst^[8] or Stardust^[8][16]
  • Keke Anderson – Scarlet^[8][16][47]
• George H. W. Bush – Sheepskin (During 1980 Campaign) ^[48]
• Phil Crane – Swordfish^[8][16]
• Ted Kennedy – Sunburn^[8][13][16]

1984

• Geraldine Ferraro – Duster^[49]
  • John Zaccaro - N/A (Declined Secret Service Protection)^[50]
• John Glenn – Iron^[51]
• Jesse Jackson – Thunder^{[8][16][44][49][51][52]}
• Walter Mondale – Dragon^[49][51]

1988

• Lloyd Bentsen - Parthenon^[53]
• Michael Dukakis – Peso^[8]
  • Kitty Dukakis - Panda^[53]
• Jesse Jackson – Pontiac^[16][52]
• Gary Hart – Redwood^[8][16]
• Paul Simon – Scarlett^[54]

1996

• Jack Kemp - Champion^[53]
  • Joanne Kemp - Cornerstone^[55]

2000

• Joe Lieberman - Laser^[53][56]
  • Hadassah Lieberman - Liberty^[57]

2004

• John Kerry – Minuteman^[30][58]
  • Teresa Heinz Kerry- Mahogany^[58]
• John Edwards - Speedway^[53]

2008

• Hillary Clinton – Evergreen^[11][38]
  • Bill Clinton – Eagle^[11]
• John McCain – Phoenix^[8][9][59]
  • Cindy McCain – Parasol^{[8][9][13][59]}
  • Meghan McCain – Peter Sellers (Peter)^[60]
  • John Sidney McCain IV – Popeye^[60]
  • Bridget McCain – Pebbles^[60]
• Sarah Palin – Denali^[9][61]
  • Todd Palin – Driller^[9][61]

2012

• Mitt Romney – Javelin^[13][62]
  • Ann Romney – Jockey^[63]
• Rick Santorum – Petrus^[13][62]
• Newt Gingrich – T-Rex^[64]
• Paul Ryan – Bowhunter^[13][65]
  • Janna Ryan – Buttercup^[13][65]

2016

• Ben Carson – Eli^[33]
• Hillary Clinton – Evergreen^[33]
  • Bill Clinton - Eagle^[34]
• Bernie Sanders – Intrepid^[66]
• Tim Kaine - Daredevil^[53]

Government officials

• Kennedy Administration
  • Cabinet
    • Dean Rusk – Freedom^[67]
  • Staff
    • Rear Adm. George Burkley (Physician to the President) – Market^[67][68]
    • General Chester Clifton – Watchman^[8][67]
    • Andrew Hatcher – Winner^[8]
    • Malcolm Kilduff – Warrior^[8][67]
    • Evelyn Lincoln – Willow^[67]
    • Godfrey McHugh – Wing^[67]
    • Kenneth O'Donnell – Wand^[67]
    • Captain Tazewell Shepard (Naval Aide) – Witness^[67]
• Lyndon Johnson Administration
  • Staff
    • Walter Jenkins – Vigilant^[67]
    • Pierre Salinger – Wayside^[8][67][69]
• Nixon Administration
  • Cabinet
    • Henry Kissinger – Woodcutter^[8][12][70]
      • Nancy Kissinger - Woodlark^[71]
  • Staff
    • Ollie Atkins (White House Photographer) – Hawkeye^[12]
    • James Baker – Fencing Master or Foxtail^[16]
    • Dwight Chapin – Watchdog^[12]
    • Kenneth Reese Cole, Jr. – Spectator^[12]
    • John Ehrlichman – Wisdom^[8][12][16]
    • Tim Elbourne (White House Aide) – Snapshot^[12]
    • Alexander Haig – Claw Hammer^[8]
    • H. R. Haldeman – Welcome^[8][12][16]
    • Lawrence Higby – Semaphore^[12]
    • James D. Hughes – Red Barron^[12]
    • Herbert G. Klein – Witness^[12]
    • William Lukash (Physician to the President) – Sawhorse^[10][12]
    • Clark MacGregor – Whipcrack^[12]
    • William Timmons – Windowpane^[12]
    • Walter Tkach (Physician to the President) – Signature^[12]
    • Ronald H. Walker – Roadrunner^[12]
    • Rose Mary Woods – Strawberry^[8][12][16]
    • Ron Ziegler – Whale Boat^[8][12][16]
    • Ken W. Clawson - Thunderstorm^[72]
• Ford Administration
  • Staff
    • Ron Nessen – Clam Chowder^[8][16]
    • Dick Cheney – Backseat^[73]
• Carter Administration
  • Cabinet
    • Cyrus Vance – Fade Away^[10]
    • Harold Brown – Finley^[10]
  • Staff
    • Zbigniew Brzeziński – Hawkeye^[8][10][16]
    • Bert Lance – Dumbo^[74]
• Reagan Administration
  • William French Smith – Flivver^[8]
  • Terrel Bell – Foxcraft^[8]
• George W. Bush Administration
  • Scott McClellan – Matrix (generic name for White House Press Secretary)^[75]
  • Andy Card – Potomac,^[9] later Patriot ^[8][9][76]
  • Josh Bolten – Fatboy^[8][9][76]
  • Elaine Chao – Firebird^[8][9]
• Obama Administration
  • Rahm Emanuel – Black Hawk^[77]
  • Tim Geithner – Fencing Master (generic codename for Secretary of the Treasury)^[78]

Congressional officials

• Strom Thurmond – Footprint^[8][16]
• Howard Baker – Snapshot^[8][16][79]
• Thomas P. O'Neill – Flag Day^[10]

Other individuals

Queen Elizabeth II, codename "Kittyhawk".

• Israel
  • Menachem Begin – Cedar^[8]
    • Hasia Begin Milo – Crystal
• Commonwealth Realms
  • Queen Elizabeth II – Kittyhawk,^[8][35] Redfern^[80]
    • Prince Charles – Principal^[8] or Unicorn^[8][35]
• United States
  • Bebe Rebozo – Christopher^[8]
  • Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd – Mrs. Johnson^[81]
  • Frank Sinatra – Napoleon^[8][82]
• Vatican
  • Pope John Paul II – Halo^[8][23]

Locations, objects, and places

U.S. Secret Service codenames are not only given to people, they are often given to places, locations and even objects, such as aircraft like Air Force One, and vehicles such as the Presidential State Car.

• Joint Base Andrews – Acrobat or Andy^[83]
• The Presidential Motorcade – Bamboo^[83]
• The Harry S Truman Building (Department of State headquarters) – Birds-eye^[83]
• Camp David – Cactus^[83] or Buckeye
• The Vice President's office – Cobweb^[83]
• The Vice President's staff – Pacemaker^[83]
• The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City – Roadhouse^[83]
• Air Force One – Angel or Cowpuncher^[83]
• The U.S. Presidential State Car – Stagecoach^[35]
  • Follow-up car – Halfback^[35]
• The White House – Castle (Crown referring to the Executive Mansion, the central representative and office spaces of the White House)^[84]
• The Capitol – Punch bowl^[85]
• The White House Situation Room – Cement Mixer^[85]
• Eisenhower Executive Office Building (part of the White House Complex) – Central^[86]
• Washington Dulles International Airport – Curbside ^[85]
• The temporary residence of the President – Charcoal or Base ^[86]
• The Pentagon – Calico^[86]
• White House garage – Carpet^[86]
• J. Edgar Hoover Building (FBI Headquarters) – Cork^[86]
• Lyndon Baines Johnson's ranch – Volcano^[86]

In fiction

In popular culture, the practice of assigning codenames is often used to provide additional verisimilitude in fictional works about the executive branch, or high-ranking governmental figures.

• 24
  • President Wayne Palmer – Citadel
  • President Allison Taylor – Liberty
• The American President
  • Andrew Shepherd – Liberty^[87]
• Chasing Liberty
  • First Daughter Anna Foster – Liberty.^[88]
• First Daughter
  • Samantha Mackenzie – Lucky Charm^[89]
• First Kid
  • President Paul Davenport – Eagle^[90]
  • Luke Davenport – Prince^[90]
• In the Line of Fire
  • The President – Traveler^[91]
• Jericho
  • President Jon Tomarchio – Condor^[92]
• Olympus Has Fallen
  • The White House – Olympus
  • President Benjamin Asher - Southpaw
  • President's Son Connor – Sparkplug
  • Special agent in charge – Big Top
• The Sentinel
  • President John Ballentine – Classic^[93]
  • First Lady Sara Ballentine – Cincinnati^[93]
• Tom Clancy's novels
  • President Roger Durling in Debt of Honor – Jumper
  • Unnamed President in Clear and Present Danger – Wrangler^[94]
  • Unnamed President in Endwar – American Eagle
  • President Jack Ryan in Debt of Honor and Executive Orders – Swordsman^[95]
    • Dr. Caroline "Cathy" Ryan in Executive Orders – Surgeon^[96]
    • Olivia "Sally" Ryan in Executive Orders – Shadow^[96]
    • Jack Ryan, Jr in Executive Orders – Shortstop^[96]
    • Katie Ryan in Executive Orders – Sandbox^[96]
    • Kyle Daniel Ryan in The Bear and the Dragon – Sprite^[97]
  • George Winston (Secretary of the Treasury) in Executive Orders – Trader^[98]
  • Arnold Van Damm (White House Chief of Staff) in Executive Orders and The Bear and the Dragon – Carpenter^[97]
  • Callie Weston (Chief Speechwriter) in Executive Orders and The Bear and the Dragon – Calliope^[97]
  • Scott Adler (Secretary of State) in Executive Orders and The Bear and the Dragon – Eagle^[99]
  • Benjamin Goodley (National Security Advisor) in Executive Orders – Cardsharp^[100]
  • Elizabeth Eliot (National Security Advisor) in Sum of All Fears – Harpy
• The West Wing
  • President Jed Bartlet – Eagle^[101] or Liberty^[102]
  • Zoey Bartlet – Bookbag^[103]
  • C. J. Cregg – Flamingo^[104]
  • Sam Seaborn – Princeton^[104]
  • Gus Westin (Grandson of Jed Bartlet) – Tonka^[105]
  • Arnold Vinick – Big Sur^[106]
• The Prodigal Daughter
  • President Florentyna Kane – Baroness^[107]
• Vantage Point
  • Henry Ashton – Eagle
• The Last Jihad
  • President James MacPherson – Gambit
  • Vice President Lewis Rhodes – Topeka
  • Vice President Bill Oaks – Checkmate
• Shooter
  • President – Flashlight
• Air Force One
  • President James Marshall – Boy Scout
• House of Cards
  • Frank Underwood – Little John (as Vice President), Big John (as President)
• Scandal
  • President Fitzgerald Grant – Falcon
  • First Lady Mellie Grant – Foxtail
• Veep
  • President/Vice-President Selina Meyer – Duchess
• Madam Secretary
  • President Conrad Dalton – Falcon
• Designated Survivor
  • Thomas "Tom" Kirkman – Glasses (as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development), Phoenix (as President)

See also

• CIA cryptonym
• 00 Agent#Origin of nomenclature
• List of nicknames of United States Presidents

References