diff --git a/changelog b/changelog
index c76964f4052e..6c4cd1d0c9ec 100644
--- a/changelog
+++ b/changelog
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 Version 1.13.11+dev:
+ * Lua API:
+   * Add side_name to unit proxy
  * User Interface:
    * Improved outro screen.
    * Fixed a few cases of data not displaying in the MP Join Game screen.
@@ -7,6 +9,7 @@ Version 1.13.11+dev:
  * WML engine:
    * Fixed units shown with [move_units_fake] disappearing between steps
      (bug #1516).
+   * [modify_side] now supports side_name
  * Miscellaneous and bug fixes:
    * Fixed standing animation toggle not taking immediate effect (bug
      #1653).
diff --git a/data/lua/wml/modify_side.lua b/data/lua/wml/modify_side.lua
index b9c562468818..49f0b928acc2 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml/modify_side.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml/modify_side.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ function wesnoth.wml_actions.modify_side(cfg)
 		if cfg.user_team_name then
 			side.user_team_name = cfg.user_team_name
 		end
+		if cfg.side_name then
+			side.side_name = cfg.side_name
+		end
 		if cfg.controller then
 			side.controller = cfg.controller
 		end
diff --git a/src/scripting/lua_team.cpp b/src/scripting/lua_team.cpp
index d733c0eed81e..5ea26db6b47c 100644
--- a/src/scripting/lua_team.cpp
+++ b/src/scripting/lua_team.cpp
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ static int impl_side_get(lua_State *L)
 	return_bool_attrib("share_maps", t.share_maps());
 	return_bool_attrib("share_view", t.share_view());
 	return_bool_attrib("chose_random", t.chose_random());
+	return_tstring_attrib("side_name", t.side_name_tstr());
 
 	if (strcmp(m, "recruit") == 0) {
 		const std::set<std::string>& recruits = t.recruits();
@@ -151,6 +152,7 @@ static int impl_side_set(lua_State *L)
 	modify_bool_attrib("shroud", t.set_shroud(value));
 	modify_bool_attrib("fog", t.set_fog(value));
 	modify_string_attrib("flag_icon", t.set_flag_icon(value));
+	modify_tstring_attrib("side_name", t.set_side_name(value));
 	modify_string_attrib("share_vision", {
 		team::SHARE_VISION v;
 		if(v.parse(value)) {
diff --git a/src/team.hpp b/src/team.hpp
index 2764278a2b07..01e0f254d1c8 100644
--- a/src/team.hpp
+++ b/src/team.hpp
@@ -302,6 +302,8 @@ class team
 	void set_flag_icon(const std::string& flag_icon) { info_.flag_icon = flag_icon; }
 
 	const std::string& side_name() const { return info_.side_name.empty() ? info_.current_player : info_.side_name.str(); }
+	t_string side_name_tstr() const { return info_.side_name.empty() ? info_.current_player : info_.side_name; }
+	void set_side_name(const t_string& new_name) {info_.side_name = new_name;}
 	const std::string& faction() const { return info_.faction; }
 	const t_string& faction_name() const { return info_.faction_name; }
 	//Returns true if the hex is shrouded/fogged for this side, or