diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f39e4b3a5..b64267770 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 # 3.0.2 (unreleased)
 
+* Allow string keys in options hash passed to `Redis.new` or
+  `Redis.connect`.
+
 * Fix uncaught error triggering unrelated error (synchrony driver).
 
     See f7ffd5f1a628029691084de69e5b46699bb8b96d and #248.
 
-
 # 3.0.1
 
 * Fix reconnect logic not kicking in on a write error.
diff --git a/lib/redis/client.rb b/lib/redis/client.rb
index f108cbac0..73eedfd8e 100644
--- a/lib/redis/client.rb
+++ b/lib/redis/client.rb
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ class Redis
   class Client
 
     DEFAULTS = {
+      :url => lambda { ENV["REDIS_URL"] },
       :scheme => "redis",
       :host => "127.0.0.1",
       :port => 6379,
@@ -11,6 +12,8 @@ class Client
       :timeout => 5.0,
       :password => nil,
       :db => 0,
+      :driver => nil,
+      :id => nil,
     }
 
     def scheme
@@ -295,8 +298,19 @@ def ensure_connected
 
     def _parse_options(options)
       defaults = DEFAULTS.dup
+      options = options.dup
 
-      url = options[:url] || ENV["REDIS_URL"]
+      defaults.keys.each do |key|
+        # Fill in defaults if needed
+        if defaults[key].respond_to?(:call)
+          defaults[key] = defaults[key].call
+        end
+
+        # Symbolize only keys that are needed
+        options[key] = options[key.to_s] if options.has_key?(key.to_s)
+      end
+
+      url = options[:url] || defaults[:url]
 
       # Override defaults from URL if given
       if url
diff --git a/test/url_param_test.rb b/test/url_param_test.rb
index 5784338ab..d96044a68 100644
--- a/test/url_param_test.rb
+++ b/test/url_param_test.rb
@@ -24,6 +24,15 @@ def test_allows_to_pass_in_a_url
     assert_equal "secr3t", redis.client.password
   end
 
+  def test_allows_to_pass_in_a_url_with_string_key
+    redis = Redis.new "url" => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2"
+
+    assert_equal "foo.com", redis.client.host
+    assert_equal 999, redis.client.port
+    assert_equal 2, redis.client.db
+    assert_equal "secr3t", redis.client.password
+  end
+
   def test_override_url_if_path_option_is_passed
     redis = Redis.new :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com/foo:999/2", :path => "/tmp/redis.sock"
 
@@ -32,6 +41,14 @@ def test_override_url_if_path_option_is_passed
     assert_equal nil, redis.client.port
   end
 
+  def test_override_url_if_path_option_is_passed_with_string_key
+    redis = Redis.new :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com/foo:999/2", "path" => "/tmp/redis.sock"
+
+    assert_equal "/tmp/redis.sock", redis.client.path
+    assert_equal nil, redis.client.host
+    assert_equal nil, redis.client.port
+  end
+
   def test_overrides_url_if_another_connection_option_is_passed
     redis = Redis.new :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2", :port => 1000
 
@@ -41,6 +58,15 @@ def test_overrides_url_if_another_connection_option_is_passed
     assert_equal "secr3t", redis.client.password
   end
 
+  def test_overrides_url_if_another_connection_option_is_passed_with_string_key
+    redis = Redis.new :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2", "port" => 1000
+
+    assert_equal "foo.com", redis.client.host
+    assert_equal 1000, redis.client.port
+    assert_equal 2, redis.client.db
+    assert_equal "secr3t", redis.client.password
+  end
+
   def test_does_not_modify_the_passed_options
     options = { :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2" }