diff --git a/common/lib_tree_model.cpp b/common/lib_tree_model.cpp
index f7691a855b..b3e6e49b6a 100644
--- a/common/lib_tree_model.cpp
+++ b/common/lib_tree_model.cpp
@@ -156,7 +156,16 @@ LIB_TREE_NODE_UNIT::LIB_TREE_NODE_UNIT( LIB_TREE_NODE* aParent, LIB_TREE_ITEM* a
     m_LibId = aParent->m_LibId;
 
     m_Name = namePrefix + " " + aItem->GetUnitReference( aUnit );
-    m_Desc = wxEmptyString;
+
+    if( aItem->HasUnitDisplayName( aUnit ) )
+    {
+        m_Desc = aItem->GetUnitDisplayName( aUnit );
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        m_Desc = wxEmptyString;
+    }
+
     m_MatchName = wxEmptyString;
 
     m_IntrinsicRank = -aUnit;
diff --git a/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_symbol_properties.cpp b/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_symbol_properties.cpp
index 25b05ba8f7..754306da51 100644
--- a/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_symbol_properties.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_symbol_properties.cpp
@@ -481,7 +481,12 @@ bool DIALOG_SYMBOL_PROPERTIES::TransferDataToWindow()
         m_symbol->UpdateUnit( m_symbol->GetUnitSelection( &GetParent()->GetCurrentSheet() ) );
 
         for( int ii = 1; ii <= m_symbol->GetUnitCount(); ii++ )
-            m_unitChoice->Append( LIB_SYMBOL::SubReference( ii, false ) );
+        {
+            if( m_symbol->HasUnitDisplayName( ii ) )
+                m_unitChoice->Append( m_symbol->GetUnitDisplayName( ii ) );
+            else
+                m_unitChoice->Append( LIB_SYMBOL::SubReference( ii, false ) );
+        }
 
         if( m_symbol->GetUnit() <= ( int )m_unitChoice->GetCount() )
             m_unitChoice->SetSelection( m_symbol->GetUnit() - 1 );
diff --git a/eeschema/lib_symbol.cpp b/eeschema/lib_symbol.cpp
index cdfea0c3ff..a8cc15d613 100644
--- a/eeschema/lib_symbol.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/lib_symbol.cpp
@@ -150,6 +150,8 @@ LIB_SYMBOL::LIB_SYMBOL( const LIB_SYMBOL& aSymbol, SYMBOL_LIB* aLibrary ) :
     m_description    = aSymbol.m_description;
     m_keyWords       = aSymbol.m_keyWords;
 
+    aSymbol.CopyUnitDisplayNames( m_unitDisplayNames );
+
     ClearSelected();
 
     for( const LIB_ITEM& oldItem : aSymbol.m_drawings )
@@ -206,6 +208,9 @@ const LIB_SYMBOL& LIB_SYMBOL::operator=( const LIB_SYMBOL& aSymbol )
     m_description    = aSymbol.m_description;
     m_keyWords       = aSymbol.m_keyWords;
 
+    m_unitDisplayNames.clear();
+    aSymbol.CopyUnitDisplayNames( m_unitDisplayNames );
+
     m_drawings.clear();
 
     for( const LIB_ITEM& oldItem : aSymbol.m_drawings )
@@ -369,6 +374,16 @@ int LIB_SYMBOL::Compare( const LIB_SYMBOL& aRhs, int aCompareFlags ) const
             return ( m_includeOnBoard ) ? 1 : -1;
     }
 
+    // Compare unit display names
+    if( m_unitDisplayNames < aRhs.m_unitDisplayNames )
+    {
+        return -1;
+    }
+    else if( m_unitDisplayNames > aRhs.m_unitDisplayNames )
+    {
+        return 1;
+    }
+
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -379,6 +394,50 @@ wxString LIB_SYMBOL::GetUnitReference( int aUnit )
 }
 
 
+bool LIB_SYMBOL::HasUnitDisplayName( int aUnit )
+{
+    return ( m_unitDisplayNames.count( aUnit ) == 1 );
+}
+
+
+wxString LIB_SYMBOL::GetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit )
+{
+    if( HasUnitDisplayName( aUnit ) )
+    {
+        return m_unitDisplayNames[aUnit];
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        return wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), GetUnitReference( aUnit ) );
+    }
+}
+
+
+void LIB_SYMBOL::CopyUnitDisplayNames( std::map<int, wxString>& aTarget ) const
+{
+    for( const auto& it : m_unitDisplayNames )
+    {
+        aTarget[it.first] = it.second;
+    }
+}
+
+
+void LIB_SYMBOL::SetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit, const wxString& aName )
+{
+    if( aUnit <= GetUnitCount() )
+    {
+        if( aName.Length() > 0 )
+        {
+            m_unitDisplayNames[aUnit] = aName;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            m_unitDisplayNames.erase( aUnit );
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 void LIB_SYMBOL::SetName( const wxString& aName )
 {
     m_name = aName;
diff --git a/eeschema/lib_symbol.h b/eeschema/lib_symbol.h
index a01c2909bf..2dc224bc25 100644
--- a/eeschema/lib_symbol.h
+++ b/eeschema/lib_symbol.h
@@ -526,6 +526,26 @@ public:
      */
     wxString GetUnitReference( int aUnit ) override;
 
+    /**
+     * Return true if the given unit \a aUnit has a display name defined
+     */
+    bool HasUnitDisplayName( int aUnit ) override;
+
+    /**
+     * Return the user-defined display name for \a aUnit for symbols with units.
+     */
+    wxString GetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit ) override;
+
+    /**
+     * Copy all unit display names into the given map \a aTarget
+     */
+    void CopyUnitDisplayNames( std::map<int, wxString>& aTarget ) const;
+
+    /**
+     * Set the user-defined display name for \a aUnit to \a aName for symbols with units.
+     */
+    void SetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit, const wxString& aName );
+
     /**
      * @return true if the symbol has multiple units per symbol.
      * When true, the reference has a sub reference to identify symbol.
@@ -731,6 +751,7 @@ private:
     static int  m_subpartFirstId;           ///< the ASCII char value to calculate the subpart
                                             ///< symbol id from the symbol number: only 'A', 'a'
                                             ///< or '1' can be used, other values have no sense.
+    std::map<int, wxString> m_unitDisplayNames;
 };
 
 #endif  //  CLASS_LIBENTRY_H
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_lib_plugin_cache.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_lib_plugin_cache.cpp
index 811645923e..7dacfcb403 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_lib_plugin_cache.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_lib_plugin_cache.cpp
@@ -228,6 +228,13 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN_CACHE::SaveSymbol( LIB_SYMBOL* aSymbol, OUTPUTFORMATTER& a
             aFormatter.Print( aNestLevel + 1, "(symbol %s_%d_%d\"\n",
                               name.c_str(), unit.m_unit, unit.m_convert );
 
+            // if the unit has a display name, write that
+            if( aSymbol->HasUnitDisplayName( unit.m_unit ) )
+            {
+                name = aSymbol->GetUnitDisplayName( unit.m_unit );
+                aFormatter.Print( aNestLevel + 2, "(unit_name %s)\n",
+                                  aFormatter.Quotes( name ).c_str() );
+            }
             // Enforce item ordering
             auto cmp =
                     []( const LIB_ITEM* a, const LIB_ITEM* b )
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
index 34a0aafeb0..3b0fae19e3 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@ LIB_SYMBOL* SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::ParseSymbol( LIB_SYMBOL_MAP& aSymbolLibMap, int aF
     long tmp;
     wxString name;
     wxString error;
+    wxString unitDisplayName;
     LIB_ITEM* item;
     std::unique_ptr<LIB_SYMBOL> symbol = std::make_unique<LIB_SYMBOL>( wxEmptyString );
 
@@ -335,6 +336,17 @@ LIB_SYMBOL* SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::ParseSymbol( LIB_SYMBOL_MAP& aSymbolLibMap, int aF
 
                 switch( token )
                 {
+                case T_unit_name:
+                    token = NextTok();
+
+                    if( IsSymbol( token ) )
+                    {
+                        unitDisplayName = FromUTF8();
+                        symbol->SetUnitDisplayName( m_unit, unitDisplayName );
+                    }
+                    NeedRIGHT();
+                    break;
+
                 case T_arc:
                 case T_bezier:
                 case T_circle:
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_symbol.cpp b/eeschema/sch_symbol.cpp
index 8d24223258..c98c8efba0 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_symbol.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_symbol.cpp
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ SCH_SYMBOL::SCH_SYMBOL( const LIB_SYMBOL& aSymbol, const LIB_ID& aLibId,
     // Inherit the include in bill of materials and board netlist settings from library symbol.
     m_inBom = aSymbol.GetIncludeInBom();
     m_onBoard = aSymbol.GetIncludeOnBoard();
+
 }
 
 
@@ -430,6 +431,22 @@ int SCH_SYMBOL::GetUnitCount() const
 }
 
 
+wxString SCH_SYMBOL::GetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit )
+{
+    wxCHECK( m_part, ( wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), LIB_SYMBOL::SubReference( aUnit ) ) ) );
+
+    return m_part->GetUnitDisplayName( aUnit );
+}
+
+
+bool SCH_SYMBOL::HasUnitDisplayName( int aUnit )
+{
+    wxCHECK( m_part, false );
+
+    return m_part->HasUnitDisplayName( aUnit );
+}
+
+
 void SCH_SYMBOL::Print( const RENDER_SETTINGS* aSettings, const VECTOR2I& aOffset )
 {
     LIB_SYMBOL_OPTIONS opts;
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_symbol.h b/eeschema/sch_symbol.h
index 45bdb1f1b0..4c40eb546d 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_symbol.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_symbol.h
@@ -240,6 +240,20 @@ public:
      */
     void SetUnit( int aUnit );
 
+    /**
+     * Return true if the given unit \a aUnit has a display name set.
+     *
+     * @return true if the display name of a unit is set, otherwise false.
+     */
+    bool HasUnitDisplayName( int aUnit );
+
+    /**
+     * Return the display name for a given unit \a aUnit.
+     *
+     * @return the display name of a unit if set, or the ordinal name of the unit otherwise.
+     */
+    wxString GetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit );
+
     /**
      * Change the unit number to \a aUnit without setting any internal flags.
      * This has meaning only for symbols made up of multiple units per package.
diff --git a/eeschema/schematic.keywords b/eeschema/schematic.keywords
index ee31ed1998..66fa50bf26 100644
--- a/eeschema/schematic.keywords
+++ b/eeschema/schematic.keywords
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ top
 tri_state
 type
 unit
+unit_name
 unspecified
 uuid
 value
diff --git a/eeschema/symbol_editor/menubar_symbol_editor.cpp b/eeschema/symbol_editor/menubar_symbol_editor.cpp
index ac4263b7f0..2c70a39e1b 100644
--- a/eeschema/symbol_editor/menubar_symbol_editor.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/symbol_editor/menubar_symbol_editor.cpp
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ void SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME::ReCreateMenuBar()
 
     editMenu->AppendSeparator();
     editMenu->Add( EE_ACTIONS::pinTable );
+    editMenu->Add( EE_ACTIONS::setUnitDisplayName );
     editMenu->Add( EE_ACTIONS::updateSymbolFields );
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/symbol_editor/symbol_edit_frame.cpp b/eeschema/symbol_editor/symbol_edit_frame.cpp
index 126bb28077..43c0cb07f9 100644
--- a/eeschema/symbol_editor/symbol_edit_frame.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/symbol_editor/symbol_edit_frame.cpp
@@ -474,6 +474,12 @@ void SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME::setupUIConditions()
                 return m_symbol && m_symbol->IsMulti() && !m_symbol->UnitsLocked();
             };
 
+    auto hasMultipleUnitsCond =
+            [this]( const SELECTION& )
+            {
+                return m_symbol && m_symbol->IsMulti();
+            };
+
     auto syncedPinsModeCond =
             [this]( const SELECTION& )
             {
@@ -497,6 +503,8 @@ void SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME::setupUIConditions()
                         ACTION_CONDITIONS().Enable( demorganCond ).Check( demorganAlternateCond ) );
     mgr->SetConditions( EE_ACTIONS::toggleSyncedPinsMode,
                         ACTION_CONDITIONS().Enable( multiUnitModeCond ).Check( syncedPinsModeCond ) );
+    mgr->SetConditions( EE_ACTIONS::setUnitDisplayName,
+                        ACTION_CONDITIONS().Enable( isEditableCond && hasMultipleUnitsCond ) );
 
 // Only enable a tool if the symbol is edtable
 #define EDIT_TOOL( tool ) ACTION_CONDITIONS().Enable( isEditableCond ).Check( cond.CurrentTool( tool ) )
@@ -594,9 +602,8 @@ void SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME::RebuildSymbolUnitsList()
     {
         for( int i = 0; i < m_symbol->GetUnitCount(); i++ )
         {
-            wxString sub  = LIB_SYMBOL::SubReference( i+1, false );
-            wxString unit = wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), sub );
-            m_unitSelectBox->Append( unit );
+            wxString unitDisplayName = m_symbol->GetUnitDisplayName( i + 1 );
+            m_unitSelectBox->Append( unitDisplayName );
         }
     }
 
@@ -1552,4 +1559,4 @@ void SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME::UpdateItem( EDA_ITEM* aItem, bool isAddOrDelete, bool aU
         eda_text->ClearBoundingBoxCache();
         eda_text->ClearRenderCache();
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp b/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
index 0aaa809f43..ce8b6983a2 100644
--- a/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
@@ -543,8 +543,7 @@ void SYMBOL_VIEWER_FRAME::onUpdateUnitChoice( wxUpdateUIEvent& aEvent )
 
             for( int ii = 0; ii < unit_count; ii++ )
             {
-                wxString sub  = LIB_SYMBOL::SubReference( ii + 1, false );
-                wxString unit = wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), sub );
+                wxString unit = symbol->GetUnitDisplayName( ii + 1 );
                 m_unitChoice->Append( unit );
             }
 
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.cpp b/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.cpp
index cb9e4c8d40..891c07476c 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.cpp
@@ -182,6 +182,10 @@ TOOL_ACTION EE_ACTIONS::updateSymbolFields( "eeschema.SymbolLibraryControl.updat
         _( "Update Symbol Fields..." ), _( "Update symbol to match changes made in parent symbol" ),
         BITMAPS::refresh );
 
+TOOL_ACTION EE_ACTIONS::setUnitDisplayName( "eeschema.SymbolLibraryControl.setUnitDisplayName",
+                                            AS_GLOBAL, 0, "", _( "Set Unit Display Name..." ),
+                                            _( "Set the display name for a unit" ) );
+
 TOOL_ACTION EE_ACTIONS::addSymbolToSchematic( "eeschema.SymbolLibraryControl.addSymbolToSchematic",
         AS_GLOBAL, 0, "",
         _( "Add Symbol to Schematic" ), _( "Add Symbol to Schematic" ),
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.h b/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.h
index 779832d27a..d7cf4cac8a 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.h
+++ b/eeschema/tools/ee_actions.h
@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ public:
     static TOOL_ACTION importSymbol;
     static TOOL_ACTION exportSymbol;
     static TOOL_ACTION updateSymbolFields;
+    static TOOL_ACTION setUnitDisplayName;
 
     // Hierarchy navigation
     static TOOL_ACTION changeSheet;
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/ee_selection_tool.cpp b/eeschema/tools/ee_selection_tool.cpp
index 3dee1fa515..631a31de00 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/ee_selection_tool.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/tools/ee_selection_tool.cpp
@@ -225,6 +225,18 @@ bool EE_SELECTION_TOOL::Init()
                        static_cast<SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME*>( m_frame )->GetCurSymbol();
             };
 
+    auto symbolDisplayNameIsEditable =
+            [&]( const SELECTION& sel )
+            {
+                if ( !m_isSymbolEditor )
+                    return false;
+
+                SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME* symEditFrame = dynamic_cast<SYMBOL_EDIT_FRAME*>( m_frame );
+
+                return symEditFrame->GetCurSymbol() && symEditFrame->GetCurSymbol()->IsMulti() 
+                        && symEditFrame->IsSymbolEditable() && !symEditFrame->IsSymbolAlias();
+            };
+
     auto& menu = m_menu.GetMenu();
 
     menu.AddItem( EE_ACTIONS::clearHighlight,     haveHighlight && EE_CONDITIONS::Idle, 1 );
@@ -260,6 +272,8 @@ bool EE_SELECTION_TOOL::Init()
     menu.AddSeparator( 400 );
     menu.AddItem( EE_ACTIONS::symbolProperties,   haveSymbol && EE_CONDITIONS::Empty, 400 );
     menu.AddItem( EE_ACTIONS::pinTable,           haveSymbol && EE_CONDITIONS::Empty, 400 );
+    menu.AddItem( EE_ACTIONS::setUnitDisplayName,
+                  haveSymbol && symbolDisplayNameIsEditable && EE_CONDITIONS::Empty, 400 );
 
     menu.AddSeparator( 1000 );
     m_frame->AddStandardSubMenus( m_menu );
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.cpp b/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.cpp
index 7ab14f50aa..ae6764df7f 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
 #include "symbol_editor_edit_tool.h"
 #include "dialog_lib_textbox_properties.h"
 #include "lib_textbox.h"
+#include <wx/textdlg.h>     // for wxTextEntryDialog
 #include <math/util.h>      // for KiROUND
 
 SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL() :
@@ -646,6 +647,47 @@ int SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::UpdateSymbolFields( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
 }
 
 
+int SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::SetUnitDisplayName( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
+{
+    LIB_SYMBOL* symbol = m_frame->GetCurSymbol();
+
+    if( !symbol )
+        return 0;
+
+    int unitid = m_frame->GetUnit();
+
+    if( unitid == 0 )
+    {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    wxString promptText = wxString::Format( _( "Enter display name for unit %s" ),
+                                            symbol->GetUnitReference( unitid ) );
+    wxString currentvalue;
+
+    if( symbol->HasUnitDisplayName( unitid ) )
+    {
+        currentvalue = symbol->GetUnitDisplayName( unitid );
+    }
+
+    wxTextEntryDialog dlg( m_frame, promptText, _( "Set Unit Display Name" ), currentvalue );
+
+    if( dlg.ShowModal() == wxID_OK )
+    {
+        saveCopyInUndoList( symbol, UNDO_REDO::LIBEDIT );
+        symbol->SetUnitDisplayName( unitid, dlg.GetValue() );
+        m_frame->RebuildSymbolUnitsList();
+        m_frame->OnModify();
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
 int SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::Undo( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
 {
     m_frame->GetSymbolFromUndoList();
@@ -854,4 +896,5 @@ void SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::setTransitions()
     Go( &SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::Properties,         EE_ACTIONS::symbolProperties.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::PinTable,           EE_ACTIONS::pinTable.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::UpdateSymbolFields, EE_ACTIONS::updateSymbolFields.MakeEvent() );
+    Go( &SYMBOL_EDITOR_EDIT_TOOL::SetUnitDisplayName, EE_ACTIONS::setUnitDisplayName.MakeEvent() );
 }
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.h b/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.h
index 3fab2fcedb..9947727727 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.h
+++ b/eeschema/tools/symbol_editor_edit_tool.h
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ public:
 
     int Properties( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
     int PinTable( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
+    int SetUnitDisplayName( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
     int UpdateSymbolFields( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
 
     int Undo( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
diff --git a/include/lib_tree_item.h b/include/lib_tree_item.h
index 58e26f2f5e..0015e0060b 100644
--- a/include/lib_tree_item.h
+++ b/include/lib_tree_item.h
@@ -76,6 +76,16 @@ public:
      * For items with units, return an identifier for unit x.
      */
     virtual wxString GetUnitReference( int aUnit ) { return wxEmptyString; }
+
+    /**
+     * For items with units, return a display name for unit x.
+     */
+    virtual wxString GetUnitDisplayName( int aUnit ) { return wxEmptyString; }
+
+    /**
+     * For items with units, return true if a display name is set for x.
+     */
+    virtual bool HasUnitDisplayName( int aUnit ) { return false; }
 };
 
 #endif //LIB_TREE_ITEM_H