ORIGINAL: Hard Sarge
Zero was named for the year it was made in, the JP calader not being the same as the western one
Correct - strictly the last 2 numbers of the year of adoption in to service as measured from the founding of the Japanese Empire in 660 BC - hence Type 96 bomber, type zero fighter etc. The Type Zero was adopted by IJN in 1940, i.e. 2600, or Zero
if I follow the rest of the question
the Allied code name was Zeke, but pilots being what pilots are, still used the name Zero when ever they seen it
Correct - thats 1 extra
they were also code named Hamp, which when first seen in action, they thought it was a new plane, but later on found out it was a sub set of the Zero
hadn't thought of that, since it was a mis-identification - have an extra 1/2 mark. Still 2 to go (not necessarily all allied names)
which also, it shouldn't really be called the Zero, it was the Zero-Sen
OK, but effectively same as zero
plus it was known to the JP as the Reisen
Actually, it is (appologies to any Japanese speakers for any errors in my reference) Rei shiki Kanjo sentoki (which is Type Zero Carrier Fighter), and Reisen is a contraction of this - i.e. still variants of 'Zero'.
Still 2 completely different forms off address to go![;)]