Nameplates

Nameplates are small icons (seen in pre-game/post-game lobbies showing player's Gamertags) that can be customized depending on certain requirements. Although nameplate emblems have existed since Halo 2 & Halo 3 in the form of small Seventh Column symbols or the Bungie logo, they have not been customizable until Halo: Reach. First mentioned early 2010, when Halo 2 was being shutdown and again when Halo PC users were told to keep their CD codes.

Halo 2
There are only 3 nameplates in Halo 2
 * Bungie.net emblem - Unlocked once gamertag is linked to Bungie.net account, and then turned on. No longer available due to shutdown of Halo 2 Xbox Live.
 * Bungie.net staff - Bungie.net staff only. (Webmasters)
 * Bungie emblem - Bungie Employees only.

Halo 3
There are only 3 nameplates in Halo 3 :
 * Default/Blank emblem - Unlocked by default.
 * Seventh Column emblem - Unlocked once gamertag is linked to Bungie.net account, and then turned on.
 * Bungie emblem - Bungie Employees only. (Also activates Bungie Armor)

Halo: Reach
There are 13 nameplates available in Reach. Nameplates are now configurable when you log in to Bungie.net. :
 * Default/Blank emblem - Unlocked by default.
 * The Septagon emblem – Unlocked once gamertag is linked to Bungie.net account.
 * Marathon emblem – Unlocked by playing the full version of Marathon: Durandal on Xbox LIVE Arcade to enable the Jjaro Terminal emblem.
 * The Star emblem – Unlocked once you have performed "certain actions" in 'Halo: Reach on your LIVE account. Also possible giving out at random like halo 3 recon was near the begining of halo 3.
 * Halo: Combat Evolved emblem – Unlocked by entering your Halo PC (Mac version also compatible) product key to enable this emblem. Each key can only be used once. There is no way to validate who has played the Xbox version.
 * Halo 2 emblem – Unlocked if you played Halo 2 for Xbox on your LIVE account before April 14th, 2010.
 * Halo 3 emblem – Unlocked if you played Halo 3 for Xbox 360 on your LIVE account.
 * Halo 3: ODST emblem – Unlocked if you played Halo 3: ODST for Xbox 360 on your LIVE account.
 * Halo emblem – Unlocked once the emblems for Halo: CE, Halo 2, and Halo 3 are unlocked.
 * Spartan Helmet emblem – Unlocked by unlocking four of the following five nameplates: Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach Beta Nameplate emblems.
 * Assault Rifle emblem – Unlocked if you participated in the Halo: Reach public beta, from May 3rd, 2010 to May 20th, 2010.
 * DMR emblem – Unlocked by being a Bungie Pro subscriber.
 * Bungie emblem - Bungie Employees Only.