diff --git a/ccnx/ccnx-name.h b/ccnx/ccnx-name.h
index e29a5b3..c11e52f 100644
--- a/ccnx/ccnx-name.h
+++ b/ccnx/ccnx-name.h
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@
   std::vector<Bytes> m_comps;
 };
 
+typedef boost::shared_ptr<Name> NamePtr;
+
 std::ostream&
 operator <<(std::ostream &os, const Name &name);