Nameplate

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 2 nameplates in Halo 3 :
 * 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 12 nameplates available in Reach. Nameplates Are Now Configurable When You Log In To Bungie.net. :
 * 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. NOTE: Obtainable now through Bungie.net Account Page>Game Settings>Nameplate Settings.
 * 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, this emblem is reserved for Halo PC owners. NOTE: Obtainable now through Bungie.net Account Page>Game Settings>Nameplate Settings.
 * Halo 2 emblem – Unlocked if you played Halo 2 for Xbox on your LIVE account before April 14th, 2010. Cannot be obtained anymore.
 * 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. Cannot be obtained anymore.
 * Spartan Helmet emblem – Classified [UPDATE] Now Obtainable By Getting The Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 3 ODST Nameplate Emblems.
 * HALO emblem – Unlocked once the emblems for Halo 1, Halo 2, and Halo 3 are unlocked.
 * The Star emblem – Unknown.
 * Bungie emblem - Bungie Employees Only