diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_constructor.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_constructor.cpp
index 75f360ce14f..c358bd06568 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_constructor.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_constructor.cpp
@@ -228,14 +228,10 @@ optionalt<codet> cpp_typecheckt::cpp_constructor(
     // there is always a constructor for non-PODs
     assert(constructor_name!="");
 
-    irept cpp_name(ID_cpp_name);
-    cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, constructor_name);
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_C_source_location, source_location);
-
     side_effect_expr_function_callt function_call;
     function_call.add_source_location()=source_location;
-    function_call.function().swap(static_cast<exprt&>(cpp_name));
+    function_call.function() =
+      cpp_namet(constructor_name, source_location).as_expr();
     function_call.arguments().reserve(operands_tc.size());
 
     for(exprt::operandst::iterator
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_declarator_converter.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_declarator_converter.cpp
index 049e7678a8c..13c23af732a 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_declarator_converter.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_declarator_converter.cpp
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ symbolt &cpp_declarator_convertert::convert(
     type.swap(declarator.name().get_sub().back());
     declarator.type().subtype()=type;
     cpp_typecheck.typecheck_type(type);
-    irept name(ID_name);
-    name.set(ID_identifier, "("+cpp_type2name(type)+")");
+    cpp_namet::namet name("(" + cpp_type2name(type) + ")");
     declarator.name().get_sub().back().swap(name);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_destructor.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_destructor.cpp
index ff720d4a82d..e08df831541 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_destructor.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_destructor.cpp
@@ -102,10 +102,7 @@ optionalt<codet> cpp_typecheckt::cpp_destructor(
     // there is always a destructor for non-PODs
     assert(dtor_name!="");
 
-    irept cpp_name(ID_cpp_name);
-    cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, dtor_name);
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_C_source_location, source_location);
+    cpp_namet cpp_name(dtor_name, source_location);
 
     exprt member(ID_member);
     member.add(ID_component_cpp_name) = cpp_name;
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_compound_type.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_compound_type.cpp
index 52d10c57c72..df2b49dd63e 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_compound_type.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_compound_type.cpp
@@ -301,8 +301,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_compound_declarator(
     typet type=static_cast<typet &>(declarator.name().get_sub()[1]);
     declarator.type().subtype()=type;
 
-    irept name(ID_name);
-    name.set(ID_identifier, "("+cpp_type2name(type)+")");
+    cpp_namet::namet name("(" + cpp_type2name(type) + ")");
     declarator.name().get_sub().back().swap(name);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_constructor.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_constructor.cpp
index df00976c819..5df230c6170 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_constructor.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_constructor.cpp
@@ -162,13 +162,8 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_ctor(
   const irep_idt &base_name,
   cpp_declarationt &ctor) const
 {
-  exprt name(ID_name);
-  name.set(ID_identifier, base_name);
-  name.add_source_location()=source_location;
-
   cpp_declaratort decl;
-  decl.name().id(ID_cpp_name);
-  decl.name().move_to_sub(name);
+  decl.name() = cpp_namet(base_name, source_location);
   decl.type()=typet(ID_function_type);
   decl.type().subtype().make_nil();
   decl.add_source_location()=source_location;
@@ -204,20 +199,10 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
   std::string param_identifier("ref");
 
   // Compound name
-  irept comp_name(ID_name);
-  comp_name.set(ID_identifier, symbol.base_name);
-  comp_name.set(ID_C_source_location, source_location);
-
-  cpp_namet cppcomp;
-  cppcomp.move_to_sub(comp_name);
+  const cpp_namet cppcomp(symbol.base_name, source_location);
 
   // Parameter name
-  exprt param_name(ID_name);
-  param_name.add_source_location()=source_location;
-  param_name.set(ID_identifier, param_identifier);
-
-  cpp_namet cpp_parameter;
-  cpp_parameter.move_to_sub(param_name);
+  const cpp_namet cpp_parameter(param_identifier, source_location);
 
   // Parameter declarator
   cpp_declaratort parameter_tor;
@@ -230,8 +215,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
   cpp_declarationt parameter_decl;
   parameter_decl.set(ID_type, ID_merged_type);
   auto &sub = to_type_with_subtypes(parameter_decl.type()).subtypes();
-  sub.push_back(
-    static_cast<const typet &>(static_cast<const irept &>(cppcomp)));
+  sub.push_back(cppcomp.as_type());
   irept constnd(ID_const);
   sub.push_back(static_cast<const typet &>(constnd));
   parameter_decl.move_to_operands(parameter_tor);
@@ -264,18 +248,12 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
       irep_idt ctor_name=parsymb.base_name;
 
       // Call the parent default copy constructor
-      exprt name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, ctor_name);
-      name.add_source_location()=source_location;
-
-      cpp_namet cppname;
-      cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+      const cpp_namet cppname(ctor_name, source_location);
 
       codet mem_init(ID_member_initializer);
       mem_init.add_source_location()=source_location;
       mem_init.set(ID_member, cppname);
-      mem_init.copy_to_operands(
-        static_cast<const exprt &>(static_cast<const irept &>(cpp_parameter)));
+      mem_init.copy_to_operands(cpp_parameter.as_expr());
       initializers.move_to_sub(mem_init);
     }
   }
@@ -289,12 +267,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
     // Take care of virtual tables
     if(mem_c.get_bool(ID_is_vtptr))
     {
-      exprt name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, mem_c.get_base_name());
-      name.add_source_location()=source_location;
-
-      cpp_namet cppname;
-      cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+      const cpp_namet cppname(mem_c.get_base_name(), source_location);
 
       const symbolt &virtual_table_symbol_type =
         lookup(mem_c.type().subtype().get(ID_identifier));
@@ -327,12 +300,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
 
     const irep_idt &mem_name = mem_c.get_base_name();
 
-    exprt name(ID_name);
-    name.set(ID_identifier, mem_name);
-    name.add_source_location()=source_location;
-
-    cpp_namet cppname;
-    cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+    const cpp_namet cppname(mem_name, source_location);
 
     codet mem_init(ID_member_initializer);
     mem_init.set(ID_member, cppname);
@@ -340,8 +308,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_cpctor(
 
     exprt memberexpr(ID_member);
     memberexpr.set(ID_component_cpp_name, cppname);
-    memberexpr.copy_to_operands(
-      static_cast<const exprt &>(static_cast<const irept &>(cpp_parameter)));
+    memberexpr.copy_to_operands(cpp_parameter.as_expr());
     memberexpr.add_source_location()=source_location;
 
     if(mem_c.type().id() == ID_array)
@@ -400,12 +367,8 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_assignop(
   auto &args_decl_type_sub = to_type_with_subtypes(args_decl.type()).subtypes();
 
   args_decl.type().id(ID_merged_type);
-  args_decl_type_sub.push_back(typet(ID_cpp_name));
-  args_decl_type_sub.back().get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-  args_decl_type_sub.back().get_sub().back().set(
-    ID_identifier, symbol.base_name);
-  args_decl_type_sub.back().get_sub().back().set(
-    ID_C_source_location, source_location);
+  args_decl_type_sub.push_back(
+    cpp_namet(symbol.base_name, source_location).as_type());
 
   args_decl_type_sub.push_back(typet(ID_const));
   args_decl.operands().push_back(exprt(ID_cpp_declarator));
@@ -414,9 +377,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_assignop(
   cpp_declaratort &args_decl_declor=
     static_cast<cpp_declaratort&>(args_decl.operands().back());
 
-  args_decl_declor.name().id(ID_cpp_name);
-  args_decl_declor.name().get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-  args_decl_declor.name().get_sub().back().add(ID_identifier).id(arg_name);
+  args_decl_declor.name() = cpp_namet(arg_name, source_location);
   args_decl_declor.add_source_location()=source_location;
 
   args_decl_declor.type()=pointer_type(typet(ID_nil));
@@ -522,8 +483,6 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::check_member_initializers(
     const irept &initializer=*init_it;
     assert(initializer.is_not_nil());
 
-    assert(initializer.get(ID_member)==ID_cpp_name);
-
     const cpp_namet &member_name=
       to_cpp_name(initializer.find(ID_member));
 
@@ -666,15 +625,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
       // ifthenelse only gets to have two operands (instead of three)
       codet cond(ID_ifthenelse);
 
-      {
-        cpp_namet most_derived;
-        most_derived.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-        most_derived.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, "@most_derived");
-
-        exprt tmp;
-        tmp.swap(most_derived);
-        cond.move_to_operands(tmp);
-      }
+      cond.copy_to_operands(cpp_namet("@most_derived").as_expr());
 
       code_blockt block;
 
@@ -684,11 +635,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
         if(!cpp_is_pod(symb.type))
         {
           // default initializer
-          irept name(ID_name);
-          name.set(ID_identifier, symb.base_name);
-
-          cpp_namet cppname;
-          cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+          const cpp_namet cppname(symb.base_name);
 
           codet mem_init(ID_member_initializer);
           mem_init.set(ID_member, cppname);
@@ -724,8 +671,6 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
       {
         irept initializer=*m_it;
 
-        assert(initializer.get(ID_member)==ID_cpp_name);
-
         const cpp_namet &member_name=
           to_cpp_name(initializer.find(ID_member));
 
@@ -773,11 +718,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
       // Call the parent default constructor
       if(!found)
       {
-        irept name(ID_name);
-        name.set(ID_identifier, ctor_name);
-
-        cpp_namet cppname;
-        cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+        const cpp_namet cppname(ctor_name);
 
         codet mem_init(ID_member_initializer);
         mem_init.set(ID_member, cppname);
@@ -790,15 +731,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
         // ifthenelse only gets to have two operands (instead of three)
         codet cond(ID_ifthenelse);
 
-        {
-          cpp_namet most_derived;
-          most_derived.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-          most_derived.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, "@most_derived");
-
-          exprt tmp;
-          tmp.swap(most_derived);
-          cond.move_to_operands(tmp);
-        }
+        cond.copy_to_operands(cpp_namet("@most_derived").as_expr());
 
         {
           codet tmp(ID_member_initializer);
@@ -816,12 +749,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
     // Take care of virtual tables
     if(c.get_bool(ID_is_vtptr))
     {
-      exprt name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, c.get_base_name());
-      name.add_source_location() = c.source_location();
-
-      cpp_namet cppname;
-      cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+      const cpp_namet cppname(c.get_base_name(), c.source_location());
 
       const symbolt &virtual_table_symbol_type =
         lookup(c.type().subtype().get(ID_identifier));
@@ -893,11 +821,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::full_member_initialization(
     // then its default constructor is called.
     if(!found && !cpp_is_pod((const typet &)(c.find(ID_type))))
     {
-      irept name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, mem_name);
-
-      cpp_namet cppname;
-      cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+      cpp_namet cppname(mem_name);
 
       codet mem_init(ID_member_initializer);
       mem_init.set(ID_member, cppname);
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_conversions.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_conversions.cpp
index 110970dd3c1..220a9bae052 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_conversions.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_conversions.cpp
@@ -1087,10 +1087,7 @@ bool cpp_typecheckt::user_defined_conversion_sequence(
       {
         // To take care of the possible virtual case,
         // we build the function as a member expression.
-        irept func_name(ID_name);
-        func_name.set(ID_identifier, component.get_base_name());
-        cpp_namet cpp_func_name;
-        cpp_func_name.get_sub().push_back(func_name);
+        const cpp_namet cpp_func_name(component.get_base_name());
 
         exprt member_func(ID_member);
         member_func.add(ID_component_cpp_name)=cpp_func_name;
@@ -1318,10 +1315,7 @@ bool cpp_typecheckt::reference_binding(
       {
         // To take care of the possible virtual case,
         // we build the function as a member expression.
-        irept func_name(ID_name);
-        func_name.set(ID_identifier, component.get_base_name());
-        cpp_namet cpp_func_name;
-        cpp_func_name.get_sub().push_back(func_name);
+        const cpp_namet cpp_func_name(component.get_base_name());
 
         exprt member_func(ID_member);
         member_func.add(ID_component_cpp_name)=cpp_func_name;
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_declaration.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_declaration.cpp
index bf6196b3bd6..ddccefa3516 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_declaration.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_declaration.cpp
@@ -41,12 +41,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::convert_anonymous_union(
   // unnamed object
   std::string identifier="#anon_union"+std::to_string(anon_counter++);
 
-  irept name(ID_name);
-  name.set(ID_identifier, identifier);
-  name.set(ID_C_source_location, declaration.source_location());
-
-  cpp_namet cpp_name;
-  cpp_name.move_to_sub(name);
+  const cpp_namet cpp_name(identifier, declaration.source_location());
   cpp_declaratort declarator;
   declarator.name()=cpp_name;
 
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_destructor.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_destructor.cpp
index c9078af1ec1..8ec66f61ef2 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_destructor.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_destructor.cpp
@@ -32,14 +32,8 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::default_dtor(
   assert(symbol.type.id()==ID_struct ||
          symbol.type.id()==ID_union);
 
-  irept name;
-  name.id(ID_name);
-  name.set(ID_identifier, "~"+id2string(symbol.base_name));
-  name.set(ID_C_source_location, symbol.location);
-
   cpp_declaratort decl;
-  decl.name().id(ID_cpp_name);
-  decl.name().move_to_sub(name);
+  decl.name() = cpp_namet("~" + id2string(symbol.base_name), symbol.location);
   decl.type().id(ID_function_type);
   decl.type().subtype().make_nil();
 
@@ -78,11 +72,7 @@ codet cpp_typecheckt::dtor(const symbolt &symbol)
   {
     if(c.get_bool(ID_is_vtptr))
     {
-      exprt name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, c.get_base_name());
-
-      cpp_namet cppname;
-      cppname.move_to_sub(name);
+      const cpp_namet cppname(c.get_base_name());
 
       const symbolt &virtual_table_symbol_type =
         lookup(c.type().subtype().get(ID_identifier));
@@ -123,12 +113,7 @@ codet cpp_typecheckt::dtor(const symbolt &symbol)
        cpp_is_pod(type))
       continue;
 
-    irept name(ID_name);
-    name.set(ID_identifier, cit->get_base_name());
-    name.set(ID_C_source_location, source_location);
-
-    cpp_namet cppname;
-    cppname.get_sub().push_back(name);
+    const cpp_namet cppname(cit->get_base_name(), source_location);
 
     exprt member(ID_ptrmember, type);
     member.set(ID_component_cpp_name, cppname);
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_expr.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_expr.cpp
index d94ef2f7be2..0839de873c3 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_expr.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_expr.cpp
@@ -391,15 +391,9 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_function_expr(
       function_call.add_source_location()=expr.source_location();
 
       // first do function/operator
-      cpp_namet cpp_name;
-      cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-      cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, op_name);
-      cpp_name.get_sub().back().add(ID_C_source_location)=
-        expr.source_location();
+      const cpp_namet cpp_name(op_name, expr.source_location());
 
-      function_call.function()=
-        static_cast<const exprt &>(
-          static_cast<const irept &>(cpp_name));
+      function_call.function() = cpp_name.as_expr();
 
       // now do the argument
       function_call.arguments().push_back(expr.op0());
@@ -500,10 +494,7 @@ bool cpp_typecheckt::operator_is_overloaded(exprt &expr)
     function_call.arguments().reserve(expr.operands().size());
     function_call.add_source_location()=expr.source_location();
 
-    cpp_namet cpp_name;
-    cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, op_name);
-    cpp_name.get_sub().back().add(ID_C_source_location)=expr.source_location();
+    const cpp_namet cpp_name(op_name, expr.source_location());
 
     // See if the struct declares the cast operator as a member
     bool found_in_struct=false;
@@ -572,11 +563,7 @@ bool cpp_typecheckt::operator_is_overloaded(exprt &expr)
       std::string op_name=std::string("operator")+e->op_name;
 
       // first do function/operator
-      cpp_namet cpp_name;
-      cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-      cpp_name.get_sub().back().set(ID_identifier, op_name);
-      cpp_name.get_sub().back().add(ID_C_source_location)=
-        expr.source_location();
+      const cpp_namet cpp_name(op_name, expr.source_location());
 
       // turn this into a function call
       side_effect_expr_function_callt function_call;
@@ -2120,12 +2107,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_side_effect_function_call(
   }
   else if(expr.function().type().id()==ID_struct)
   {
-    irept name(ID_name);
-    name.set(ID_identifier, "operator()");
-    name.set(ID_C_source_location, expr.source_location());
-
-    cpp_namet cppname;
-    cppname.get_sub().push_back(name);
+    const cpp_namet cppname("operator()", expr.source_location());
 
     exprt member(ID_member);
     member.add(ID_component_cpp_name)=cppname;
@@ -2502,10 +2484,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_side_effect_assignment(side_effect_exprt &expr)
     throw 0;
   }
 
-  cpp_namet cpp_name;
-  cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-  cpp_name.get_sub().front().set(ID_identifier, strop);
-  cpp_name.get_sub().front().set(ID_C_source_location, expr.source_location());
+  const cpp_namet cpp_name(strop, expr.source_location());
 
   // expr.op0() is already typechecked
   exprt already_typechecked(ID_already_typechecked);
@@ -2576,10 +2555,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_side_effect_inc_dec(
     throw 0;
   }
 
-  cpp_namet cpp_name;
-  cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(irept(ID_name));
-  cpp_name.get_sub().front().set(ID_identifier, str_op);
-  cpp_name.get_sub().front().set(ID_C_source_location, expr.source_location());
+  const cpp_namet cpp_name(str_op, expr.source_location());
 
   exprt already_typechecked(ID_already_typechecked);
   already_typechecked.move_to_operands(expr.op0());
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_initializer.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_initializer.cpp
index 99e5459ee4d..df540ae02dc 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_initializer.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_initializer.cpp
@@ -268,12 +268,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::zero_initializer(
 
     if(max_comp_size>0)
     {
-      irept name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, comp.get_base_name());
-      name.set(ID_C_source_location, source_location);
-
-      cpp_namet cpp_name;
-      cpp_name.move_to_sub(name);
+      const cpp_namet cpp_name(comp.get_base_name(), source_location);
 
       exprt member(ID_member);
       member.copy_to_operands(object);
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_resolve.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_resolve.cpp
index 8e4fb4a83f7..a7e63355719 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_resolve.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_resolve.cpp
@@ -886,7 +886,6 @@ cpp_scopet &cpp_typecheck_resolvet::resolve_scope(
   irep_idt &base_name,
   cpp_template_args_non_tct &template_args)
 {
-  assert(cpp_name.id()==ID_cpp_name);
   assert(!cpp_name.get_sub().empty());
 
   original_scope=&cpp_typecheck.cpp_scopes.current_scope();
diff --git a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_template.cpp b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_template.cpp
index a59f48964ee..4c48a152e91 100644
--- a/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_template.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/cpp_typecheck_template.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_function_template(
   assert(declaration.declarators().size()==1);
 
   cpp_declaratort &declarator=declaration.declarators()[0];
-  const cpp_namet &cpp_name=to_cpp_name(declarator.add(ID_name));
+  const cpp_namet &cpp_name = declarator.name();
 
   // do template arguments
   // this also sets up the template scope
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_class_template_member(
   assert(declaration.declarators().size()==1);
 
   cpp_declaratort &declarator=declaration.declarators()[0];
-  const cpp_namet &cpp_name=to_cpp_name(declarator.add(ID_name));
+  const cpp_namet &cpp_name = declarator.name();
 
   assert(cpp_name.is_qualified() ||
          cpp_name.has_template_args());
@@ -755,12 +755,7 @@ cpp_scopet &cpp_typecheckt::typecheck_template_parameters(
 
     // it may be anonymous
     if(declarator.name().is_nil())
-    {
-      irept name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, "anon#"+std::to_string(++anon_count));
-      declarator.name()=cpp_namet();
-      declarator.name().get_sub().push_back(name);
-    }
+      declarator.name() = cpp_namet("anon#" + std::to_string(++anon_count));
 
     #if 1
     // The declarator needs to be just a name
@@ -1070,7 +1065,7 @@ void cpp_typecheckt::convert_template_declaration(
     assert(declaration.declarators().size()>=1);
 
     cpp_declaratort &declarator=declaration.declarators()[0];
-    const cpp_namet &cpp_name=to_cpp_name(declarator.add(ID_name));
+    const cpp_namet &cpp_name = declarator.name();
 
     if(cpp_name.is_qualified() ||
        cpp_name.has_template_args())
diff --git a/src/cpp/parse.cpp b/src/cpp/parse.cpp
index 4ae3f1a9599..df89ee357e8 100644
--- a/src/cpp/parse.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/parse.cpp
@@ -1186,15 +1186,11 @@ bool Parser::rTempArgDeclaration(cpp_declarationt &declaration)
 
     if(lex.LookAhead(0) == TOK_IDENTIFIER)
     {
-      cpp_namet cpp_name;
       cpp_tokent tk2;
       lex.get_token(tk2);
 
-      exprt name(ID_name);
-      name.set(ID_identifier, tk2.data.get(ID_C_base_name));
-      set_location(name, tk2);
-      cpp_name.get_sub().push_back(name);
-      declarator.name().swap(cpp_name);
+      declarator.name() = cpp_namet(tk2.data.get(ID_C_base_name));
+      set_location(declarator.name(), tk2);
 
       add_id(declarator.name(), new_scopet::kindt::TYPE_TEMPLATE_PARAMETER);
 
@@ -3549,8 +3545,7 @@ bool Parser::rName(irept &name)
       std::cout << std::string(__indent, ' ') << "Parser::rName 5\n";
       #endif
       lex.get_token(tk);
-      components.push_back(irept(ID_name));
-      components.back().set(ID_identifier, tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name));
+      components.push_back(cpp_namet::namet(tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name)));
       set_location(components.back(), tk);
 
       {
@@ -3814,8 +3809,7 @@ bool Parser::rPtrToMember(irept &ptr_to_mem)
 
     case TOK_IDENTIFIER:
       lex.get_token(tk);
-      components.push_back(irept(ID_name));
-      components.back().set(ID_identifier, tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name));
+      components.push_back(cpp_namet::namet(tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name)));
       set_location(components.back(), tk);
 
       {
@@ -6930,7 +6924,7 @@ bool Parser::rVarNameCore(exprt &name)
   std::cout << std::string(__indent, ' ') << "Parser::rVarNameCore 0\n";
   #endif
 
-  name=exprt(ID_cpp_name);
+  name = cpp_namet().as_expr();
   irept::subt &components=name.get_sub();
 
   if(lex.LookAhead(0)==TOK_TYPENAME)
@@ -6979,8 +6973,7 @@ bool Parser::rVarNameCore(exprt &name)
       #endif
 
       lex.get_token(tk);
-      components.push_back(irept(ID_name));
-      components.back().set(ID_identifier, tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name));
+      components.push_back(cpp_namet::namet(tk.data.get(ID_C_base_name)));
       set_location(components.back(), tk);
 
       // may be followed by template arguments
@@ -7817,12 +7810,7 @@ bool Parser::rTryStatement(codet &statement)
       assert(declaration.declarators().size()==1);
 
       if(declaration.declarators().front().name().is_nil())
-      {
-        irept name(ID_name);
-        name.set(ID_identifier, "#anon");
-        declaration.declarators().front().name()=cpp_namet();
-        declaration.declarators().front().name().get_sub().push_back(name);
-      }
+        declaration.declarators().front().name() = cpp_namet("#anon");
 
       codet code_decl;
       code_decl.set_statement(ID_decl);