When your father becomes President of the United States, life changes in extraordinary ways. For Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister Barbara Bush, that shift came in 2001 when they were 19 years old and moved into a world suddenly filled with security briefings, constant public attention, and a dedicated team of Secret Service agents assigned to guard them at all times. Among the unique aspects of living in that spotlight was the moment they each received Secret Service code names—nicknames that became part of their identities during their years as first daughters.

While chatting on an episode of TODAY with co-host Willie Geist, Jenna shared a story that delighted viewers: the reveal of those once-classified code names. With Hoda Kotb out sick with the flu, the conversation gave Bush Hager a chance to reflect on a quirky piece of her past growing up in the White House.

“It’s so funny, and I don’t know where this is coming from,” Jenna began, laughing at the memory. “But when you have Secret Service, you have a code name.” Hers and Barbara’s nicknames were chosen to represent something special about them—but Jenna insists one turned out far better than the other.

Barbara, she explained, was known to agents as “Turquoise.” The inspiration came from her sister’s striking eyes—an unusually vivid blue-green that set her apart. Jenna has always admired Barbara’s eyes, and she admits that as far as Secret Service code names go, “Turquoise” had a certain elegance to it.

Jenna’s own nickname? Not quite as glamorous: “Twinkle.”

She confessed that she was never especially fond of the code name, especially because of the teasing it sometimes inspired. “Twinkle,” she joked, sounded a little too similar to “Tinkle” for comfort—an association she would have happily avoided at 19.

Willie Geist attempted to soften the sting by pointing out the charm of such a name. “Twinkle means you’re a star, you’re light, you’re joy,” he reminded her. He even sang a small nod to the nursery rhyme: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Still, Jenna couldn’t help but compare. Given the choice between the shimmering elegance of “Turquoise” and the cutesiness of “Twinkle,” she teased, most people would know exactly which one they’d prefer.

But the Bush twins weren’t the only members of their family with undercover monikers. President George W. Bush went by “Trailblazer,” a name fitting for a Commander in Chief with a Texas-rooted personality and a reputation for forging ahead.

First Lady Laura Bush carried the name “Tempo,” a reference that might hint at her steadiness, grace, and commitment to keeping the First Family’s rhythm grounded through turbulent times. Even though the Bush presidency ended in 2009, both George and Laura continue to receive Secret Service protection—and continue to be addressed by those code names when necessary.

Jenna also shared a peek into the affectionate private world of her parents. Away from official duties and formal titles, the couple call each other “Bushy.” In fact, Jenna revealed with a laugh, they’re “Bushy 1 and Bushy 2.” But she was quick to clarify that the nickname does not extend to her: “Nobody calls me Bushy,” she insisted.

Though her early code name might have been less than flattering, Jenna’s life since the White House has given her plenty of new identities—ones she embraces far more warmly. Today, as an author, journalist, and co-host of TODAY, she has built a career entirely on her own merits, outside the shadow of political legacy. She’s also a wife and mother of three, and her husband Henry Hager has upgraded her nickname to one that she far prefers: “Shiny.”

It’s a sweet acknowledgment of her spirited, optimistic personality—and certainly more elegant than the accidental bathroom-humor version of her teen code name.

For more than a decade, Jenna lived with Secret Service protection as she navigated college, young adulthood, and her father’s two presidential terms. These days, though, she no longer carries an official code name or walks through life surrounded by agents. “Twinkle” has been retired for good.

Looking back, she can now laugh at the absurdity of a life where childhood nicknames were assigned by national security experts. It’s just one of countless unusual experiences that come from being part of a First Family.

Despite the seriousness of politics and the weight of global responsibility, Jenna’s story offers a reminder that even in the White House, humor and humanity always find a way in. Whether she was “Twinkle,” “Shiny,” or simply Jenna, she has remained grounded—able to find joy in the lighthearted, bizarre, and unexpectedly personal corners of history.

Her playful storytelling also gives fans and viewers a rare connection to the hidden infrastructure that surrounds the presidency. Secret Service code names often capture a personality trait, a public impression, or—even better—a private family joke. For Americans who only see the grandeur of state dinners and Air Force One, Jenna’s memory is a glimpse into the small, everyday quirks that make life behind the scenes relatable.

And that, perhaps, is why people love hearing these stories from her. They are proof that even first daughters are allowed to laugh at themselves—and that not every part of presidential life has to feel so serious.

Today, Jenna Bush Hager continues to embrace the role she has carved out: sharing stories, raising her family, and shining in her own right. “Twinkle” may have been the code name she once cringed at, but it’s also a reminder of a remarkable chapter—one defined more by joy and family than by the glare of political power.

In the end, her story isn’t about an unflattering nickname. It’s about the ability to laugh, evolve, and appreciate every version of who you’ve been—even the sparkly ones.