How did operation names originate?

by starlancer21

Noted that alot of the operation names sounded cool and exciting and very often not based on the theme

Examples such as Operation Neptune Spear Operation Overlord

One of the few exceptions were like Operation Desert Storm where it was in Iraq and the place would have alot of desert like areas.

Couldn't a mission be named something mundane like Operation Soup Can?

Who decides the operation names and how did it started?

CpnLag

So I'm not 100% familiar with WW2 naming schemes, but I can give some insight into more recent naming conventions.

In 1975 the DoD introduced a naming scheme, NICKA, for all sorts of programs and exercises which included a computer system to assign and track names based on various criteria. Here's a copy of a 1998 memo that goes into it. One thing to note is that NICKA applies only to DoD projects so other government departments (like the CIA) have their own naming schemes.