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.
 * The DMR emblem – Unlocked by being a Bungie: PRO subscriber.
 * Marathon emblem – Unlocked by playing the full version of Marathon 2: Durandal on Xbox LIVE Arcade to enable the Jjaro Terminal emblem.
 * Halo 1 emblem – Unlocked by entering your Halo PC/Mac 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 on your LIVE account.
 * Halo 3: ODST emblem – Unlocked if you played Halo 3: ODST on your LIVE account.
 * Assault Rifle emblem – Unlocked if you played the Halo: Reach Beta.
 * Spartan Helmet emblem – Unlocked by obtaining the Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, and Halo Reach Nameplate Emblems.
 * HALO emblem – Unlocked once the emblems for Halo 1, Halo 2, and Halo 3 are unlocked.
 * The Star emblem – Unlocked once you have done certain actions in Halo Reach on your LIVE account.
 * Bungie emblem - Bungie Employees Only