Walkie talkie code names trace their origins to the military. Military code names go at least as far back as World War I, when the Allies used code names to reference governments, cities, meeting places, and influential figures.
They’re also inspired by CB radio handles, which emerged when the popularity of the radios skyrocketed in the 1970s.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required licenses for people to operate radios and set strict regulations for things like antenna height, transmission distance, and call signs.[1]
Radio users weren’t too fond of these rules, so they used code names in part to hide their identities and stay under the FCC’s radar.[1]
As the popularity of these radios continued to grow, movies like “Convoy” and “Smokey and the Bandit” inspired truck drivers, tinkerers, and radio enthusiasts to create handles of their own.
Whether you’re using two-way radios for work, having fun with friends/family, or staying in touch with your fellow adventurers during outdoor excursions, we have more the list of walkie talkie code name ideas to choose from below!
Plus, scroll past the list for our code name generator and tips on how to create your own code name.
Ghost Rider
Blackout
Phoenix
Desert Fox
Landbird
Taffy
Black Mamba
Ace
Reaper
Bandit
Halo
Phantom
Mantis
Ghost
Toe Jam
Mad Max
Badger
Chopper
Saint
Ice Man
Cobra
Skywalker
“Star Wars” reference
Candy Cane
Big Bird
Dragon
Legolas
“Lord of the Rings” reference
Fury
Daffodil
Boss
Wolverine
Warhammer
Cave Dog
Optimus Prime
“Transformers” reference
Bilbo
“The Hobbit” reference
Obi-Wan
“Star Wars” reference
Snakebite
Groot
“Guardians of the Galaxy” reference
Tweety Bird
Maverick
Smurfette
Rocky
Potter
“Harry Potter” reference
Armadillo
Chaos
Bullfrog
Desert Flower
Bumblebee
Jaguar
Spider
Mama Bear
McFly
“Back to the Future” reference
Wombat
Ripper
Raider
Saber
Kraken
Zombie
Bengal
as in Bengal tiger
T-Rex
Gorilla
Star-Lord
“Guardians of the Galaxy” reference
Cougar
Lunch Lady
Turtle
Thunderbolt
Navigator
Buffalo Bill
Big Bang
Sharky
Professor
Gandalf
“Lord of the Rings” reference
Firecracker
Joker
Yoda
“Star Wars” reference
Snowman
Dirtbike
Cherry Bomb
Flounder
Jawbone
Voodoo
Eagle
Pixie
Snoopy
Captain
Popeye
Iron Man
Marvel reference
Walker
Edna Mode
“The Incredibles” reference
Laser
Vulture
Ruby
Knock-Knock
Howler
Booger
Brainiac
Papa Smurf
Pappy
Cyclone
Growler
Vader
“Star Wars” reference
Inbetweener
Peaches
Raptor
Grumble
Wingnut
Gollum
“Lord of the Rings” reference
Terminator
Baby Bird
Needlenose
Electric Eel
Hooter
Hornet
Goose
Moonchild
Little Lucky
Katniss
“The Hunger Games” reference
Baldy
Sass
Gingerbread
Blinker
Godzilla
King Kong
Blondie
Tumbleweed
Buster
Rawhide
Dumpling
Zig-Zag
Solo
Groundhog
Rabbit
Locust
Panda
Tatochip
Goliath
Titan
Cactus
Mammoth
Rookie
Butcher
Porky
Tex Mex
Batman
Steam
Critter
Bully
Eyesore
Ghoul
Twitch
Jupiter
Pebbles
Budget
Hubcap
Banjo
Gumshoe
Bingo
Brawler
Woody
Hero
Goody
Scrappy
Neo
“The Matrix” reference
The Dude
“The Big Lebowski” reference
Chowder
Coleslaw
Maximus
“Gladiator” reference
Boomer
Bueller
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” reference
Road Hog
Sunburn
Narwhal
Froggy
Sapphire
Walkie Talkie Code Name Generator
How to Create Your Own Walkie Talkie Code Name
Keep the following tips in mind if you’d prefer to create your own walkie talkie code name rather than choosing from our list:
- Choose a two-syllable word or phrase. Your code name doesn’t necessarily have to be two syllables, but words and phrases of that length tend to work well. Your name will be short, catchy, and easy to remember if you limit it to two syllables.
- Get inspiration from popular culture. Just like the Convoy-inspired CB handles of yesteryear, you can get inspiration from movies, television shows, and songs. You can borrow a code name from a fictional trucker or military service member or create a code name based on your other favorite characters and stories. Examples from our list include “Gandalf” and “Katniss.”
- Turn to nature for ideas. Animals, in particular, can be great inspiration for code names! Choose your favorite animal, one that has fascinating symbolism, or one that just sounds cool as a code name.
- Let your friends or colleagues decide. There’s always a risk that you won’t like your nickname if you choose this option, but the best code names are given, not chosen. You’ll see this often in the military — people will receive code names based on one of their defining features or a memorable incident. For example, someone might get the nickname “Tex” for having a thick Texas accent.