The White House Communications Agency assigns unique identifiers to every First Family. Even with updated security tech, the codenames are still around to honor tradition. Swipe forward to learn more.

History of Presidential Code Names

The White House Communications Agency (WHCA) assigns these identifiers for radio clarity. Security was the main goal and these tags worked before encrypted tech existed. Today the practice persists as a nod to tradition.

The Family Protocol

Official protocol requires that the president and their family share the same starting letter. For example Barack Obama used Renegade while Michelle Obama became Renaissance. This smart system helps agents identify family members quickly.

The Camelot Legend

John F. Kennedy used the code name Lancer during his presidency. This choice drew a direct parallel to Sir Lancelot from the Camelot mythos. His wife Jackie was known as Lace while his children were Lyric and Lark.

Grounded in History

Ronald Reagan was Rawhide as a nod to his background as a Western film actor. Jimmy Carter used Deacon because of his role as a Sunday school teacher. These names connect a leader's public identity to their personal life.

Origins in Sports

After his presidency, Dwight D. Eisenhower was assigned the code name Scorecard. The Secret Service selected this moniker due to his intense, very public love for the game of golf. Vice President Dick Cheney was designated as Angler because of his lifelong passion and documented skill for fly-fishing.

First Ladies

Because she was always on the move—touring the country during the Great Depression and visiting troops overseas during World War II—the Secret Service aptly assigned Eleanor Roosevelt the code name Rover. Her protective detail even affectionately referred to themselves as Rover's Rangers. As confirmed by former Secret Service agents, Barbara Bush was designated as Tranquility because it perfectly captured her steadying, humanizing demeanor.

Identifying Vice Presidents

Kamala Harris used Pioneer while her husband Doug Emhoff was Patriot. Mike Pence went by Hoosier to honor his home state of Indiana. Al Gore was known as Sundance showing that secondary figures also receive distinct titles.