A nameplate is a small sign or plaque that displays someone's name, usually to show ownership or identify who uses something. You might see a nameplate on a teacher's desk showing “Ms. Rodriguez,” or on an office door indicating who works there. Doctors often have nameplates outside their examination rooms, and executives display them in their workspaces.

Nameplates can be simple printed cards in plastic holders or fancy engraved metal or wood plaques. Some are permanent fixtures, while others slide in and out when people change offices or desks. In old movies, you'll notice that newspaper reporters had nameplates on their desks, announcing their territory in the busy newsroom.

The term can also refer to the metal badge on a car showing its make and model, like the nameplate on the back of a Honda that says “Accord” or “Civic.” Car enthusiasts talk about different nameplates when discussing various vehicle brands and models. In manufacturing, nameplate capacity means the maximum amount a factory was designed to produce, named after the metal plate showing the factory's specifications.