diff --git a/documentation/RELEASE_NOTES.html b/documentation/RELEASE_NOTES.html
index e55b4692b..2e56b647c 100644
--- a/documentation/RELEASE_NOTES.html
+++ b/documentation/RELEASE_NOTES.html
@@ -15,6 +15,18 @@ EPICS Base 3.15.0.x releases are not intended for use in production systems.</p>
 <h2 align="center">Changes between 3.14.x and 3.15.0.x</h2>
 <!-- Insert new items immediately below here ... -->
 
+<h4>Named Soft Events</h4>
+
+<p>Soft events can now be given meaningful names instead of just using the
+numbers 1-255. The EVNT field is now a DBF_STRING. The <tt>post_event()</tt> API
+is now deprecated but still works. It should be replaced by code that in advance
+looks up the <tt>EVNTPVT</tt> event handle associated with the named event by
+calling <tt>eventNameToHandle(char *)</tt>, and when that event occurs passes
+that handle to the new <tt>postEvent(EVNTPVT)</tt> routine (which may be called
+from interrupt level). A new iocsh command <tt>postEvent <i>name</i></tt> will
+trigger a named event from the command-line or a startup script (on vxWorks the
+expression <tt>postEvent(eventNameToHandle("<i>name</i>"))</tt> must be used
+instead though).</p>
 
 <h4>Parallel Builds</h4>
 
diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbCommon.dbd b/src/ioc/db/dbCommon.dbd
index 29d1c0009..d940999e7 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbCommon.dbd
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbCommon.dbd
@@ -43,10 +43,11 @@
 		special(SPC_SCAN)
 		interest(1)
 	}
-	field(EVNT,DBF_SHORT) {
-		prompt("Event Number")
+	field(EVNT,DBF_STRING) {
+		prompt("Event Name")
 		promptgroup(GUI_SCAN)
 		special(SPC_SCAN)
+		size(40)
 		interest(1)
 	}
 	field(TSE,DBF_SHORT) {
diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbIocRegister.c b/src/ioc/db/dbIocRegister.c
index a82337f03..60965f200 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbIocRegister.c
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbIocRegister.c
@@ -266,11 +266,21 @@ static void scanpplCallFunc(const iocshArgBuf *args)
 { scanppl(args[0].dval);}
 
 /* scanpel */
-static const iocshArg scanpelArg0 = { "event number",iocshArgInt};
+static const iocshArg scanpelArg0 = { "event name",iocshArgString};
 static const iocshArg * const scanpelArgs[1] = {&scanpelArg0};
 static const iocshFuncDef scanpelFuncDef = {"scanpel",1,scanpelArgs};
 static void scanpelCallFunc(const iocshArgBuf *args)
-{ scanpel(args[0].ival);}
+{ scanpel(args[0].sval);}
+
+/* postEvent */
+static const iocshArg postEventArg0 = { "event name",iocshArgString};
+static const iocshArg * const postEventArgs[1] = {&postEventArg0};
+static const iocshFuncDef postEventFuncDef = {"postEvent",1,postEventArgs};
+static void postEventCallFunc(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+{
+    EVENTPVT pel = eventNameToHandle(args[0].sval);
+    postEvent(pel);
+}
 
 /* scanpiol */
 static const iocshFuncDef scanpiolFuncDef = {"scanpiol",0};
@@ -328,6 +338,7 @@ void epicsShareAPI dbIocRegister(void)
     iocshRegister(&scanOnceSetQueueSizeFuncDef,scanOnceSetQueueSizeCallFunc);
     iocshRegister(&scanpplFuncDef,scanpplCallFunc);
     iocshRegister(&scanpelFuncDef,scanpelCallFunc);
+    iocshRegister(&postEventFuncDef,postEventCallFunc);
     iocshRegister(&scanpiolFuncDef,scanpiolCallFunc);
 
     iocshRegister(&callbackSetQueueSizeFuncDef,callbackSetQueueSizeCallFunc);
diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
index 12098b31a..8aaf1b14e 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
@@ -101,12 +101,13 @@ static char *priorityName[NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES] = {
 
 /* EVENT */
 
-#define MAX_EVENTS 256
-typedef struct event_scan_list {
-    CALLBACK            callback;
-    scan_list           scan_list;
-} event_scan_list;
-static event_scan_list *pevent_list[NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES][MAX_EVENTS];
+typedef struct event_list {
+    CALLBACK            callback[NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES];
+    scan_list           scan_list[NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES];
+    struct event_list *next;
+    char                event_name[MAX_STRING_SIZE];
+} event_list;
+static event_list * volatile pevent_list[256];
 
 
 /* IO_EVENT*/
@@ -204,35 +205,24 @@ void scanAdd(struct dbCommon *precord)
         recGblRecordError(-1, (void *)precord,
             "scanAdd detected illegal SCAN value");
     } else if (scan == menuScanEvent) {
-        int evnt;
+        char* eventname;
         int prio;
-        event_scan_list *pesl;
+        event_list *pel;
 
-        evnt = precord->evnt;
-        if (evnt < 0 || evnt >= MAX_EVENTS) {
+        eventname = precord->evnt;
+        if (strlen(eventname) >= MAX_STRING_SIZE) {
             recGblRecordError(S_db_badField, (void *)precord,
-                "scanAdd detected illegal EVNT value");
-            precord->scan = menuScanPassive;
+                "scanAdd: too long EVNT value");
             return;
         }
         prio = precord->prio;
         if (prio < 0 || prio >= NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES) {
             recGblRecordError(-1, (void *)precord,
                 "scanAdd: illegal prio field");
-            precord->scan = menuScanPassive;
             return;
         }
-        pesl = pevent_list[prio][evnt];
-        if (pesl == NULL) {
-            pesl = dbCalloc(1, sizeof(event_scan_list));
-            pevent_list[prio][evnt] = pesl;
-            pesl->scan_list.lock = epicsMutexMustCreate();
-            callbackSetCallback(eventCallback, &pesl->callback);
-            callbackSetPriority(prio, &pesl->callback);
-            callbackSetUser(pesl, &pesl->callback);
-            ellInit(&pesl->scan_list.list);
-        }
-        addToList(precord, &pesl->scan_list);
+        pel = eventNameToHandle(eventname);
+        if (pel) addToList(precord, &pel->scan_list[prio]);
     } else if (scan == menuScanI_O_Intr) {
         io_scan_list *piosl = NULL;
         int prio;
@@ -287,31 +277,25 @@ void scanDelete(struct dbCommon *precord)
         recGblRecordError(-1, (void *)precord,
             "scanDelete detected illegal SCAN value");
     } else if (scan == menuScanEvent) {
-        int evnt;
+        char* eventname;
         int prio;
-        event_scan_list *pesl;
+        event_list *pel;
         scan_list *psl = 0;
 
-        evnt = precord->evnt;
-        if (evnt < 0 || evnt >= MAX_EVENTS) {
-            recGblRecordError(S_db_badField, (void *)precord,
-                "scanAdd detected illegal EVNT value");
-            precord->scan = menuScanPassive;
-            return;
-        }
+        eventname = precord->evnt;
         prio = precord->prio;
         if (prio < 0 || prio >= NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES) {
             recGblRecordError(-1, (void *)precord,
-                "scanAdd: illegal prio field");
-            precord->scan = menuScanPassive;
+                "scanDelete detected illegal PRIO field");
             return;
         }
-        pesl = pevent_list[prio][evnt];
-        if (pesl) psl = &pesl->scan_list;
-        if (!pesl || !psl) 
-            recGblRecordError(-1, (void *)precord,
-                "scanDelete for bad evnt");
-        else
+        do /* multithreading: make sure pel is consistent */
+            pel = pevent_list[0];
+        while (pel != pevent_list[0]);
+        for (; pel; pel=pel->next) {
+            if (strcmp(pel->event_name, eventname) == 0) break;
+        }
+        if (pel && (psl = &pel->scan_list[prio]))
             deleteFromList(precord, psl);
     } else if (scan == menuScanI_O_Intr) {
         io_scan_list *piosl=NULL;
@@ -372,21 +356,22 @@ int scanppl(double period)      /* print periodic list */
     return 0;
 }
 
-int scanpel(int event_number)   /* print event list */
+int scanpel(const char* eventname)   /* print event list */
 {
     char message[80];
-    int prio, evnt;
-    event_scan_list *pesl;
+    int prio;
+    event_list *pel;
 
-    for (evnt = 0; evnt < MAX_EVENTS; evnt++) {
-        if (event_number && evnt<event_number) continue;
-        if (event_number && evnt>event_number) break;
-        for (prio = 0; prio < NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
-            pesl = pevent_list[prio][evnt];
-            if (!pesl) continue;
-            if (ellCount(&pesl->scan_list.list) == 0) continue;
-            sprintf(message, "Event %d Priority %s", evnt, priorityName[prio]);
-            printList(&pesl->scan_list, message);
+    do /* multithreading: make sure pel is consistent */
+        pel = pevent_list[0];
+    while (pel != pevent_list[0]);
+    for (; pel; pel = pel->next) {
+        if (!eventname || strcmp(pel->event_name, eventname) == 0) {
+            for (prio = 0; prio < NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
+                if (ellCount(&pel->scan_list[prio].list) == 0) continue;
+                sprintf(message, "Event \"%s\" Priority %s", pel->event_name, priorityName[prio]);
+                printList(&pel->scan_list[prio], message);
+            }
         }
     }
     return 0;
@@ -412,39 +397,73 @@ int scanpiol(void)                  /* print io_event list */
 
 static void eventCallback(CALLBACK *pcallback)
 {
-    event_scan_list *pesl;
+    scan_list *psl;
 
-    callbackGetUser(pesl, pcallback);
-    scanList(&pesl->scan_list);
+    callbackGetUser(psl, pcallback);
+    scanList(psl);
 }
 
 static void initEvent(void)
 {
-    int evnt, prio;
+}
 
-    for (prio = 0; prio < NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
-        for (evnt = 0; evnt < MAX_EVENTS; evnt++) {
-            pevent_list[prio][evnt] = NULL;
+event_list *eventNameToHandle(const char *eventname)
+{
+    int prio;
+    event_list *pel;
+    static epicsMutexId lock = NULL;
+
+    if (!lock) lock = epicsMutexMustCreate();
+    if (!eventname || eventname[0] == 0) return NULL;
+    epicsMutexMustLock(lock);
+    for (pel = pevent_list[0]; pel; pel=pel->next) {
+        if (strcmp(pel->event_name, eventname) == 0) break;
+    }
+    if (pel == NULL) {
+        pel = dbCalloc(1, sizeof(event_list));
+        strcpy(pel->event_name, eventname);
+        for (prio = 0; prio < NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
+            callbackSetUser(&pel->scan_list[prio], &pel->callback[prio]);
+            callbackSetPriority(prio, &pel->callback[prio]);
+            callbackSetCallback(eventCallback, &pel->callback[prio]);
+            pel->scan_list[prio].lock = epicsMutexMustCreate();
+            ellInit(&pel->scan_list[prio].list);
         }
+        pel->next=pevent_list[0];
+        pevent_list[0]=pel;
+        { /* backward compatibility */
+            char* p;
+            long e = strtol(eventname, &p, 0);
+            if (*p == 0 && e > 0 && e <= 255)
+                pevent_list[e] = pel;
+        }
+    }
+    epicsMutexUnlock(lock);
+    return pel;
+}
+
+void postEvent(event_list *pel)
+{
+    int prio;
+
+    if (scanCtl != ctlRun) return;
+    if (!pel) return;
+    for (prio = 0; prio < NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
+        if (ellCount(&pel->scan_list[prio].list) >0)
+            callbackRequest(&pel->callback[prio]);
     }
 }
 
+/* backward compatibility */
 void post_event(int event)
 {
-    int prio;
-    event_scan_list *pesl;
+    event_list* pel;
 
-    if (scanCtl != ctlRun) return;
-    if (event < 0 || event >= MAX_EVENTS) {
-        errMessage(-1, "illegal event passed to post_event");
-        return;
-    }
-    for (prio=0; prio<NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES; prio++) {
-        pesl = pevent_list[prio][event];
-        if (!pesl) continue;
-        if (ellCount(&pesl->scan_list.list) >0)
-            callbackRequest((void *)pesl);
-    }
+    if (event <= 0 || event > 255) return;
+    do { /* multithreading: make sure pel is consistent */
+        pel = pevent_list[event];
+    } while (pel != pevent_list[event]);
+    postEvent(pel);
 }
 
 void scanIoInit(IOSCANPVT *ppioscanpvt)
diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
index 5b96b8196..eca2c889d 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 #include "menuScan.h"
 #include "shareLib.h"
+#include "compilerDependencies.h"
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ extern "C" {
 struct io_scan_list;
 
 typedef struct io_scan_list *IOSCANPVT;
+typedef struct event_list *EVENTPVT;
 
 struct dbCommon;
 
@@ -43,7 +45,9 @@ epicsShareFunc long scanInit(void);
 epicsShareFunc void scanRun(void);
 epicsShareFunc void scanPause(void);
 
-epicsShareFunc void post_event(int event);
+epicsShareFunc EVENTPVT eventNameToHandle(const char* event);
+epicsShareFunc void postEvent(EVENTPVT epvt);
+epicsShareFunc void post_event(int event) EPICS_DEPRECATED;
 epicsShareFunc void scanAdd(struct dbCommon *);
 epicsShareFunc void scanDelete(struct dbCommon *);
 epicsShareFunc double scanPeriod(int scan);
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ epicsShareFunc int scanOnceSetQueueSize(int size);
 epicsShareFunc int scanppl(double rate);
 
 /*print event lists*/
-epicsShareFunc int scanpel(int event_number);
+epicsShareFunc int scanpel(const char *event_name);
 
 /*print io_event list*/
 epicsShareFunc int scanpiol(void);
diff --git a/src/std/dev/devEventSoft.c b/src/std/dev/devEventSoft.c
index 167d18df2..45de65393 100644
--- a/src/std/dev/devEventSoft.c
+++ b/src/std/dev/devEventSoft.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ static long init_record(eventRecord *prec)
     /* INP must be CONSTANT, PV_LINK, DB_LINK or CA_LINK*/
     switch (prec->inp.type) {
     case CONSTANT:
-        if (recGblInitConstantLink(&prec->inp, DBF_USHORT, &prec->val))
+        if (recGblInitConstantLink(&prec->inp, DBF_STRING, &prec->val))
             prec->udf = FALSE;
         break;
     case PV_LINK:
@@ -69,13 +69,20 @@ static long init_record(eventRecord *prec)
 static long read_event(eventRecord *prec)
 {
     long status;
+    char newEvent[MAX_STRING_SIZE];
 
-    status = dbGetLink(&prec->inp, DBR_USHORT, &prec->val, 0, 0);
-    if (!status) {
-        prec->udf = FALSE;
-        if (prec->tsel.type == CONSTANT &&
-            prec->tse == epicsTimeEventDeviceTime)
-            dbGetTimeStamp(&prec->inp, &prec->time);
+    if (prec->inp.type != CONSTANT)
+    {
+        status = dbGetLinkValue(&prec->inp, DBR_STRING, newEvent, 0, 0);
+        if (status) return status;
+        if (strcmp(newEvent, prec->val) != 0) {
+            strcpy(prec->val, newEvent);
+            prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->val);
+        }
     }
-    return status;
+    prec->udf = FALSE;
+    if (prec->tsel.type == CONSTANT &&
+        prec->tse == epicsTimeEventDeviceTime)
+        dbGetTimeStamp(&prec->inp, &prec->time);
+    return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.c b/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.c
index 0b7c78323..9e18c0996 100644
--- a/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.c
+++ b/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.c
@@ -197,6 +197,8 @@ static long init_record(calcoutRecord *prec, int pass)
     callbackSetUser(prec, &prpvt->checkLinkCb);
     prpvt->cbScheduled = 0;
 
+    prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->oevt);
+    
     if (pcalcoutDSET->init_record) pcalcoutDSET->init_record(prec);
     prec->pval = prec->val;
     prec->mlst = prec->val;
@@ -360,6 +362,9 @@ static long special(DBADDR *paddr, int after)
         }
         db_post_events(prec, plinkValid, DBE_VALUE);
         return 0;
+      case(calcoutRecordOEVT):
+        prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->oevt);
+        return 0;
       default:
         recGblDbaddrError(S_db_badChoice, paddr, "calc: special");
         return(S_db_badChoice);
@@ -543,27 +548,21 @@ static void execOutput(calcoutRecord *prec)
     if (prec->nsev < INVALID_ALARM ) {
         /* Output the value */
         status = writeValue(prec);
-        /* post event if output event != 0 */
-        if (prec->oevt > 0) {
-            post_event((int)prec->oevt);
-        }
+        /* post output event if set */
+        if (prec->epvt) postEvent(prec->epvt);
     } else switch (prec->ivoa) {
         case menuIvoaContinue_normally:
             status = writeValue(prec);
-            /* post event if output event != 0 */
-            if (prec->oevt > 0) {
-                post_event((int)prec->oevt);
-            }
+            /* post output event if set */
+            if (prec->epvt) postEvent(prec->epvt);
             break;
         case menuIvoaDon_t_drive_outputs:
             break;
         case menuIvoaSet_output_to_IVOV:
             prec->oval = prec->ivov;
             status = writeValue(prec);
-            /* post event if output event != 0 */
-            if (prec->oevt > 0) {
-                post_event((int)prec->oevt);
-            }
+            /* post output event if set */
+            if (prec->epvt) postEvent(prec->epvt);
             break;
         default:
             status = -1;
diff --git a/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.dbd b/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.dbd
index fc393a782..bc916c961 100644
--- a/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.dbd
+++ b/src/std/rec/calcoutRecord.dbd
@@ -255,10 +255,19 @@ recordtype(calcout) {
 		prompt("OCAL Valid")
 		interest(1)
 	}
-	field(OEVT,DBF_USHORT) {
+	field(OEVT,DBF_STRING) {
 		prompt("Event To Issue")
 		promptgroup(GUI_CLOCK)
+		special(SPC_MOD)
 		asl(ASL0)
+		size(40)
+	}
+	%#include "dbScan.h"
+	field(EPVT, DBF_NOACCESS) {
+		prompt("Event private")
+		special(SPC_NOMOD)
+		interest(4)
+		extra("EVENTPVT epvt")
 	}
 	field(IVOA,DBF_MENU) {
 		prompt("INVALID output action")
diff --git a/src/std/rec/eventRecord.c b/src/std/rec/eventRecord.c
index b8cc2b208..435666ccf 100644
--- a/src/std/rec/eventRecord.c
+++ b/src/std/rec/eventRecord.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include "errMdef.h"
 #include "recSup.h"
 #include "recGbl.h"
+#include "special.h"
 #include "menuYesNo.h"
 #define GEN_SIZE_OFFSET
 #include "eventRecord.h"
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@
 #define initialize NULL
 static long init_record(eventRecord *, int);
 static long process(eventRecord *);
-#define special NULL
+static long special(DBADDR *, int);
 static long get_value(eventRecord *, struct valueDes *);
 #define cvt_dbaddr NULL
 #define get_array_info NULL
@@ -103,9 +104,11 @@ static long init_record(eventRecord *prec, int pass)
     }
 
     if (prec->siol.type == CONSTANT) {
-	recGblInitConstantLink(&prec->siol,DBF_USHORT,&prec->sval);
+	recGblInitConstantLink(&prec->siol,DBF_STRING,&prec->sval);
     }
 
+    prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->val);
+
     if( (pdset=(struct eventdset *)(prec->dset)) && (pdset->init_record) ) 
 		status=(*pdset->init_record)(prec);
     return(status);
@@ -123,7 +126,7 @@ static long process(eventRecord *prec)
 	if ( !pact && prec->pact ) return(0);
 	prec->pact = TRUE;
  
-	if(prec->val>0) post_event((int)prec->val);
+	postEvent(prec->epvt);
 
 	recGblGetTimeStamp(prec);
 
@@ -137,10 +140,22 @@ static long process(eventRecord *prec)
 	return(status);
 }
 
+
+static long special(DBADDR *paddr, int after)
+{
+    eventRecord *prec = (eventRecord *)paddr->precord;
 
+    if (!after) return 0;
+    if (dbGetFieldIndex(paddr) == eventRecordVAL) {
+        prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->val);
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
 static long get_value(eventRecord *prec, struct valueDes *pvdes)
 {
-    pvdes->field_type = DBF_USHORT;
+    pvdes->field_type = DBF_STRING;
     pvdes->no_elements=1;
     pvdes->pvalue = (void *)(&prec->val);
     return(0);
@@ -177,10 +192,13 @@ static long readValue(eventRecord *prec)
                 return(status);
         }
         if (prec->simm == menuYesNoYES){
-                status=dbGetLink(&(prec->siol),DBR_USHORT,
+                status=dbGetLink(&(prec->siol),DBR_STRING,
 			&(prec->sval),0,0);
                 if (status==0) {
-                        prec->val=prec->sval;
+                        if (strcmp(prec->sval, prec->val) != 0) {
+                                strcpy(prec->val, prec->sval);
+                                prec->epvt = eventNameToHandle(prec->val);
+                        }
                         prec->udf=FALSE;
                 }
         } else {
diff --git a/src/std/rec/eventRecord.dbd b/src/std/rec/eventRecord.dbd
index f63355900..842d2b1c0 100644
--- a/src/std/rec/eventRecord.dbd
+++ b/src/std/rec/eventRecord.dbd
@@ -9,10 +9,19 @@
 #*************************************************************************
 recordtype(event) {
 	include "dbCommon.dbd" 
-	field(VAL,DBF_USHORT) {
-		prompt("Event Number To Post")
+	field(VAL,DBF_STRING) {
+		prompt("Event Name To Post")
 		promptgroup(GUI_INPUTS)
+		special(SPC_MOD)
 		asl(ASL0)
+		size(40)
+	}
+	%#include "dbScan.h"
+	field(EPVT, DBF_NOACCESS) {
+		prompt("Event private")
+		special(SPC_NOMOD)
+		interest(4)
+		extra("EVENTPVT epvt")
 	}
 	field(INP,DBF_INLINK) {
 		prompt("Input Specification")
@@ -24,8 +33,9 @@ recordtype(event) {
 		promptgroup(GUI_INPUTS)
 		interest(1)
 	}
-	field(SVAL,DBF_USHORT) {
+	field(SVAL,DBF_STRING) {
 		prompt("Simulation Value")
+		size(40)
 	}
 	field(SIML,DBF_INLINK) {
 		prompt("Sim Mode Location")