codename

A codename, sometimes written as code name, is a non-public label assigned to a person, operation, project, or product to conceal its real identity or purpose. Codenames are used to simplify communication, protect sensitive information during planning or testing, and manage discretion in sensitive environments such as military, government, industry, or research.

Military and intelligence histories use codenames to describe operations without revealing strategic details. Notable examples include Operation Overlord, the Allied plan for the Normandy invasion, and the Manhattan Project, the U.S. program to develop atomic weapons. In other contexts, codenames can indicate a level of secrecy without specifying exact objectives.

Technology and product development frequently employ codenames to shield confidential efforts from competitors and the public until an official announcement. In computing, examples include Windows XP's development codename Whistler and Windows Vista's development codename Longhorn. In other sectors, internal projects may receive codenames that are later replaced by public product names. Codenames are often later released as part of corporate history or marketing narratives, but they primarily serve to maintain privacy during development.

Codenames can also appear in fiction and media, where they label secret projects, hidden identities, or provisional plans within a storyline. The term is generally synonymous with code name and is used across industries to convey secrecy or provisional status without disclosing detailed information.