diff --git a/src/aircraft_cmd.cpp b/src/aircraft_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/aircraft_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/aircraft_cmd.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildAircraft(TileIndex t
 		v->cargo_type = e->GetDefaultCargoType();
 		u->cargo_type = CT_MAIL;
 
-		v->name = nullptr;
+		v->name.clear();
 		v->last_station_visited = INVALID_STATION;
 		v->last_loading_station = INVALID_STATION;
 
diff --git a/src/base_consist.cpp b/src/base_consist.cpp
--- a/src/base_consist.cpp
+++ b/src/base_consist.cpp
@@ -14,10 +14,6 @@
 
 #include "safeguards.h"
 
-BaseConsist::~BaseConsist()
-{
-	free(this->name);
-}
 
 /**
  * Copy properties of other BaseConsist.
@@ -27,8 +23,7 @@ void BaseConsist::CopyConsistPropertiesF
 {
 	if (this == src) return;
 
-	free(this->name);
-	this->name = src->name != nullptr ? stredup(src->name) : nullptr;
+	this->name = src->name;
 
 	this->current_order_time = src->current_order_time;
 	this->lateness_counter = src->lateness_counter;
diff --git a/src/base_consist.h b/src/base_consist.h
--- a/src/base_consist.h
+++ b/src/base_consist.h
@@ -12,10 +12,11 @@
 
 #include "order_type.h"
 #include "date_type.h"
+#include <string>
 
 /** Various front vehicle properties that are preserved when autoreplacing, using order-backup or switching front engines within a consist. */
 struct BaseConsist {
-	char *name;                         ///< Name of vehicle
+	std::string name;                   ///< Name of vehicle
 
 	/* Used for timetabling. */
 	uint32 current_order_time;          ///< How many ticks have passed since this order started.
@@ -29,8 +30,7 @@ struct BaseConsist {
 
 	uint16 vehicle_flags;               ///< Used for gradual loading and other miscellaneous things (@see VehicleFlags enum)
 
-	BaseConsist() : name(nullptr) {}
-	virtual ~BaseConsist();
+	virtual ~BaseConsist() {}
 
 	void CopyConsistPropertiesFrom(const BaseConsist *src);
 };
diff --git a/src/base_station_base.h b/src/base_station_base.h
--- a/src/base_station_base.h
+++ b/src/base_station_base.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ struct BaseStation : StationPool::PoolIt
 	TrackedViewportSign sign;       ///< NOSAVE: Dimensions of sign
 	byte delete_ctr;                ///< Delete counter. If greater than 0 then it is decremented until it reaches 0; the waypoint is then is deleted.
 
-	char *name;                     ///< Custom name
+	std::string name;               ///< Custom name
 	StringID string_id;             ///< Default name (town area) of station
 	mutable std::string cached_name; ///< NOSAVE: Cache of the resolved name of the station, if not using a custom name
 
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ struct BaseStation : StationPool::PoolIt
 
 	inline const char *GetCachedName() const
 	{
-		if (this->name != nullptr) return this->name;
+		if (!this->name.empty()) return this->name.c_str();
 		if (this->cached_name.empty()) this->FillCachedName();
 		return this->cached_name.c_str();
 	}
diff --git a/src/company_base.h b/src/company_base.h
--- a/src/company_base.h
+++ b/src/company_base.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include "tile_type.h"
 #include "settings_type.h"
 #include "group.h"
+#include <string>
 
 /** Statistics about the economy. */
 struct CompanyEconomyEntry {
@@ -54,11 +55,11 @@ extern CompanyPool _company_pool;
 struct CompanyProperties {
 	uint32 name_2;                   ///< Parameter of #name_1.
 	StringID name_1;                 ///< Name of the company if the user did not change it.
-	char *name;                      ///< Name of the company if the user changed it.
+	std::string name;                ///< Name of the company if the user changed it.
 
 	StringID president_name_1;       ///< Name of the president if the user did not change it.
 	uint32 president_name_2;         ///< Parameter of #president_name_1
-	char *president_name;            ///< Name of the president if the user changed it.
+	std::string president_name;      ///< Name of the president if the user changed it.
 
 	CompanyManagerFace face;         ///< Face description of the president.
 
@@ -99,17 +100,11 @@ struct CompanyProperties {
 
 	// TODO: Change some of these member variables to use relevant INVALID_xxx constants
 	CompanyProperties()
-		: name_2(0), name_1(0), name(nullptr), president_name_1(0), president_name_2(0), president_name(nullptr),
+		: name_2(0), name_1(0), president_name_1(0), president_name_2(0),
 		  face(0), money(0), money_fraction(0), current_loan(0), colour(0), block_preview(0),
 		  location_of_HQ(0), last_build_coordinate(0), share_owners(), inaugurated_year(0),
 		  months_of_bankruptcy(0), bankrupt_asked(0), bankrupt_timeout(0), bankrupt_value(0),
 		  terraform_limit(0), clear_limit(0), tree_limit(0), is_ai(false) {}
-
-	~CompanyProperties()
-	{
-		free(this->name);
-		free(this->president_name);
-	}
 };
 
 struct Company : CompanyPool::PoolItem<&_company_pool>, CompanyProperties {
diff --git a/src/company_cmd.cpp b/src/company_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/company_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/company_cmd.cpp
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ static void GenerateCompanyName(Company 
 
 	StringID str;
 	uint32 strp;
-	if (t->name == nullptr && IsInsideMM(t->townnametype, SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_START, SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_LAST + 1)) {
+	if (t->name.empty() && IsInsideMM(t->townnametype, SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_START, SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_LAST + 1)) {
 		str = t->townnametype - SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_START + SPECSTR_COMPANY_NAME_START;
 		strp = t->townnameparts;
 
@@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ CommandCost CmdSetCompanyColour(TileInde
 static bool IsUniqueCompanyName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Company *c : Company::Iterate()) {
-		if (c->name != nullptr && strcmp(c->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!c->name.empty() && c->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -1069,8 +1069,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameCompany(TileIndex t
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
 		Company *c = Company::Get(_current_company);
-		free(c->name);
-		c->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		if (reset) {
+			c->name.clear();
+		} else {
+			c->name = text;
+		}
 		MarkWholeScreenDirty();
 		CompanyAdminUpdate(c);
 	}
@@ -1086,7 +1089,7 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameCompany(TileIndex t
 static bool IsUniquePresidentName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Company *c : Company::Iterate()) {
-		if (c->president_name != nullptr && strcmp(c->president_name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!c->president_name.empty() && c->president_name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -1112,14 +1115,13 @@ CommandCost CmdRenamePresident(TileIndex
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
 		Company *c = Company::Get(_current_company);
-		free(c->president_name);
 
 		if (reset) {
-			c->president_name = nullptr;
+			c->president_name.clear();
 		} else {
-			c->president_name = stredup(text);
+			c->president_name = text;
 
-			if (c->name_1 == STR_SV_UNNAMED && c->name == nullptr) {
+			if (c->name_1 == STR_SV_UNNAMED && c->name.empty()) {
 				char buf[80];
 
 				seprintf(buf, lastof(buf), "%s Transport", text);
diff --git a/src/depot.cpp b/src/depot.cpp
--- a/src/depot.cpp
+++ b/src/depot.cpp
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ INSTANTIATE_POOL_METHODS(Depot)
  */
 Depot::~Depot()
 {
-	free(this->name);
-
 	if (CleaningPool()) return;
 
 	if (!IsDepotTile(this->xy) || GetDepotIndex(this->xy) != this->index) {
diff --git a/src/depot_base.h b/src/depot_base.h
--- a/src/depot_base.h
+++ b/src/depot_base.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ extern DepotPool _depot_pool;
 
 struct Depot : DepotPool::PoolItem<&_depot_pool> {
 	Town *town;
-	char *name;
+	std::string name;
 
 	TileIndex xy;
 	uint16 town_cn;    ///< The N-1th depot for this town (consecutive number)
diff --git a/src/depot_cmd.cpp b/src/depot_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/depot_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/depot_cmd.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 static bool IsUniqueDepotName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Depot *d : Depot::Iterate()) {
-		if (d->name != nullptr && strcmp(d->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!d->name.empty() && d->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -60,13 +60,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameDepot(TileIndex til
 	}
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		free(d->name);
-
 		if (reset) {
-			d->name = nullptr;
+			d->name.clear();
 			MakeDefaultName(d);
 		} else {
-			d->name = stredup(text);
+			d->name = text;
 		}
 
 		/* Update the orders and depot */
diff --git a/src/engine.cpp b/src/engine.cpp
--- a/src/engine.cpp
+++ b/src/engine.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ assert_compile(lengthof(_orig_rail_vehic
 const uint EngineOverrideManager::NUM_DEFAULT_ENGINES = _engine_counts[VEH_TRAIN] + _engine_counts[VEH_ROAD] + _engine_counts[VEH_SHIP] + _engine_counts[VEH_AIRCRAFT];
 
 Engine::Engine() :
-	name(nullptr),
 	overrides_count(0),
 	overrides(nullptr)
 {
@@ -140,7 +139,6 @@ Engine::Engine(VehicleType type, EngineI
 Engine::~Engine()
 {
 	UnloadWagonOverrides(this);
-	free(this->name);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1069,7 +1067,7 @@ void EnginesMonthlyLoop()
 static bool IsUniqueEngineName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Engine *e : Engine::Iterate()) {
-		if (e->name != nullptr && strcmp(e->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!e->name.empty() && e->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -1097,12 +1095,10 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameEngine(TileIndex ti
 	}
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		free(e->name);
-
 		if (reset) {
-			e->name = nullptr;
+			e->name.clear();
 		} else {
-			e->name = stredup(text);
+			e->name = text;
 		}
 
 		MarkWholeScreenDirty();
diff --git a/src/engine_base.h b/src/engine_base.h
--- a/src/engine_base.h
+++ b/src/engine_base.h
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ typedef Pool<Engine, EngineID, 64, 64000
 extern EnginePool _engine_pool;
 
 struct Engine : EnginePool::PoolItem<&_engine_pool> {
-	char *name;                 ///< Custom name of engine.
+	std::string name;           ///< Custom name of engine.
 	Date intro_date;            ///< Date of introduction of the engine.
 	Date age;
 	uint16 reliability;         ///< Current reliability of the engine.
diff --git a/src/fios_gui.cpp b/src/fios_gui.cpp
--- a/src/fios_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/fios_gui.cpp
@@ -533,9 +533,9 @@ public:
 						for (auto &pair : _load_check_data.companies) {
 							SetDParam(0, pair.first + 1);
 							const CompanyProperties &c = *pair.second;
-							if (c.name != nullptr) {
+							if (!c.name.empty()) {
 								SetDParam(1, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING);
-								SetDParamStr(2, c.name);
+								SetDParamStr(2, c.name.c_str());
 							} else {
 								SetDParam(1, c.name_1);
 								SetDParam(2, c.name_2);
diff --git a/src/group.h b/src/group.h
--- a/src/group.h
+++ b/src/group.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include "vehicle_type.h"
 #include "engine_type.h"
 #include "livery.h"
+#include <string>
 
 typedef Pool<Group, GroupID, 16, 64000> GroupPool;
 extern GroupPool _group_pool; ///< Pool of groups.
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ struct GroupStatistics {
 
 /** Group data. */
 struct Group : GroupPool::PoolItem<&_group_pool> {
-	char *name;                 ///< Group Name
+	std::string name;           ///< Group Name
 	Owner owner;                ///< Group Owner
 	VehicleType vehicle_type;   ///< Vehicle type of the group
 
@@ -76,7 +77,6 @@ struct Group : GroupPool::PoolItem<&_gro
 	GroupID parent;             ///< Parent group
 
 	Group(CompanyID owner = INVALID_COMPANY);
-	~Group();
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/group_cmd.cpp b/src/group_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/group_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/group_cmd.cpp
@@ -290,11 +290,6 @@ Group::Group(Owner owner)
 	this->folded = false;
 }
 
-Group::~Group()
-{
-	free(this->name);
-}
-
 
 /**
  * Create a new vehicle group.
@@ -422,10 +417,12 @@ CommandCost CmdAlterGroup(TileIndex tile
 		}
 
 		if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-			/* Delete the old name */
-			free(g->name);
 			/* Assign the new one */
-			g->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+			if (reset) {
+				g->name.clear();
+			} else {
+				g->name = text;
+			}
 		}
 	} else {
 		/* Set group parent */
diff --git a/src/saveload/afterload.cpp b/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
@@ -645,20 +645,20 @@ bool AfterLoadGame()
 	if (IsSavegameVersionBefore(SLV_84)) {
 		for (Company *c : Company::Iterate()) {
 			c->name = CopyFromOldName(c->name_1);
-			if (c->name != nullptr) c->name_1 = STR_SV_UNNAMED;
+			if (!c->name.empty()) c->name_1 = STR_SV_UNNAMED;
 			c->president_name = CopyFromOldName(c->president_name_1);
-			if (c->president_name != nullptr) c->president_name_1 = SPECSTR_PRESIDENT_NAME;
+			if (!c->president_name.empty()) c->president_name_1 = SPECSTR_PRESIDENT_NAME;
 		}
 
 		for (Station *st : Station::Iterate()) {
 			st->name = CopyFromOldName(st->string_id);
 			/* generating new name would be too much work for little effect, use the station name fallback */
-			if (st->name != nullptr) st->string_id = STR_SV_STNAME_FALLBACK;
+			if (!st->name.empty()) st->string_id = STR_SV_STNAME_FALLBACK;
 		}
 
 		for (Town *t : Town::Iterate()) {
 			t->name = CopyFromOldName(t->townnametype);
-			if (t->name != nullptr) t->townnametype = SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_START + _settings_game.game_creation.town_name;
+			if (!t->name.empty()) t->townnametype = SPECSTR_TOWNNAME_START + _settings_game.game_creation.town_name;
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -2502,11 +2502,11 @@ bool AfterLoadGame()
 		 * highest possible number to get them numbered in the
 		 * order they have in the pool. */
 		for (Waypoint *wp : Waypoint::Iterate()) {
-			if (wp->name != nullptr) wp->town_cn = UINT16_MAX;
+			if (!wp->name.empty()) wp->town_cn = UINT16_MAX;
 		}
 
 		for (Waypoint* wp : Waypoint::Iterate()) {
-			if (wp->name != nullptr) MakeDefaultName(wp);
+			if (!wp->name.empty()) MakeDefaultName(wp);
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
@@ -242,11 +242,11 @@ void AfterLoadCompanyStats()
 static const SaveLoad _company_desc[] = {
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, name_2,          SLE_UINT32),
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, name_1,          SLE_STRINGID),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(CompanyProperties, name,            SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(CompanyProperties, name,            SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, president_name_1, SLE_STRINGID),
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, president_name_2, SLE_UINT32),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(CompanyProperties, president_name,  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(CompanyProperties, president_name,  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, face,            SLE_UINT32),
 
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ static void Check_PLYR()
 			}
 		}
 
-		if (cprops->name == nullptr && !IsInsideMM(cprops->name_1, SPECSTR_COMPANY_NAME_START, SPECSTR_COMPANY_NAME_LAST + 1) &&
+		if (cprops->name.empty() && !IsInsideMM(cprops->name_1, SPECSTR_COMPANY_NAME_START, SPECSTR_COMPANY_NAME_LAST + 1) &&
 				cprops->name_1 != STR_GAME_SAVELOAD_NOT_AVAILABLE && cprops->name_1 != STR_SV_UNNAMED &&
 				cprops->name_1 != SPECSTR_ANDCO_NAME && cprops->name_1 != SPECSTR_PRESIDENT_NAME &&
 				cprops->name_1 != SPECSTR_SILLY_NAME) {
diff --git a/src/saveload/depot_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/depot_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/depot_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/depot_sl.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _depot_desc[] = {
 	SLEG_CONDVAR(_town_index,       SLE_UINT16,                 SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_141),
 	 SLE_CONDREF(Depot, town,       REF_TOWN,                 SLV_141, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Depot, town_cn,    SLE_UINT16,               SLV_141, SL_MAX_VERSION),
-	 SLE_CONDSTR(Depot, name,       SLE_STR, 0,               SLV_141, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Depot, name,       SLE_STR,                  SLV_141, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Depot, build_date, SLE_INT32,                SLV_142, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	 SLE_END()
 };
diff --git a/src/saveload/engine_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/engine_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/engine_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/engine_sl.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _engine_desc[] = {
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Engine, company_avail,       SLE_FILE_U8  | SLE_VAR_U16,  SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_104),
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Engine, company_avail,       SLE_UINT16,                SLV_104, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Engine, company_hidden,      SLE_UINT16,                SLV_193, SL_MAX_VERSION),
-	 SLE_CONDSTR(Engine, name,                SLE_STR, 0,                 SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Engine, name,                SLE_STR,                    SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
 	SLE_CONDNULL(16,                                                       SLV_2, SLV_144), // old reserved space
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ void CopyTempEngineData()
 		e->preview_wait        = se->preview_wait;
 		e->company_avail       = se->company_avail;
 		e->company_hidden      = se->company_hidden;
-		if (se->name != nullptr) e->name = stredup(se->name);
+		e->name                = se->name;
 	}
 
 	ResetTempEngineData();
diff --git a/src/saveload/group_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/group_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/group_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/group_sl.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 static const SaveLoad _group_desc[] = {
 	 SLE_CONDVAR(Group, name,               SLE_NAME,                       SL_MIN_VERSION,  SLV_84),
-	 SLE_CONDSTR(Group, name,               SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Group, name,               SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL,    SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	SLE_CONDNULL(2,                                                         SL_MIN_VERSION,  SLV_164), // num_vehicle
 	     SLE_VAR(Group, owner,              SLE_UINT8),
 	     SLE_VAR(Group, vehicle_type,       SLE_UINT8),
diff --git a/src/saveload/saveload.cpp b/src/saveload/saveload.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/saveload.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/saveload.cpp
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ void WriteValue(void *ptr, VarType conv,
 		case SLE_VAR_U32: *(uint32*)ptr = val; break;
 		case SLE_VAR_I64: *(int64 *)ptr = val; break;
 		case SLE_VAR_U64: *(uint64*)ptr = val; break;
-		case SLE_VAR_NAME: *(char**)ptr = CopyFromOldName(val); break;
+		case SLE_VAR_NAME: *reinterpret_cast<std::string *>(ptr) = CopyFromOldName(val); break;
 		case SLE_VAR_NULL: break;
 		default: NOT_REACHED();
 	}
@@ -1515,6 +1515,8 @@ static bool IsVariableSizeRight(const Sa
 				case SLE_VAR_I64:
 				case SLE_VAR_U64:
 					return sld->size == sizeof(int64);
+				case SLE_VAR_NAME:
+					return sld->size == sizeof(std::string);
 				default:
 					return sld->size == sizeof(void *);
 			}
diff --git a/src/saveload/saveload_internal.h b/src/saveload/saveload_internal.h
--- a/src/saveload/saveload_internal.h
+++ b/src/saveload/saveload_internal.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 void InitializeOldNames();
 StringID RemapOldStringID(StringID s);
-char *CopyFromOldName(StringID id);
+std::string CopyFromOldName(StringID id);
 void ResetOldNames();
 
 void ResetOldWaypoints();
diff --git a/src/saveload/signs_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/signs_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/signs_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/signs_sl.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 /** Description of a sign within the savegame. */
 static const SaveLoad _sign_desc[] = {
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Sign, name,  SLE_NAME,                   SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_84),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(Sign, name,  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Sign, name, SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Sign, x,     SLE_FILE_I16 | SLE_VAR_I32, SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_5),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Sign, y,     SLE_FILE_I16 | SLE_VAR_I32, SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_5),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Sign, x,     SLE_INT32,                  SLV_5, SL_MAX_VERSION),
diff --git a/src/saveload/station_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/station_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/station_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/station_sl.cpp
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ void MoveBuoysToWaypoints()
 		TileIndex xy       = st->xy;
 		Town *town         = st->town;
 		StringID string_id = st->string_id;
-		char *name         = st->name;
-		st->name           = nullptr;
+		std::string name   = st->name;
 		Date build_date    = st->build_date;
 		/* TTDPatch could use "buoys with rail station" for rail waypoints */
 		bool train         = st->train_station.tile != INVALID_TILE;
@@ -176,7 +175,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _old_station_desc[
 	SLE_CONDNULL(1, SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_4),  ///< alpha_order
 
 	    SLE_VAR(Station, string_id,                  SLE_STRINGID),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(Station, name,                       SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Station, name,                      SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Station, indtype,                    SLE_UINT8,                 SLV_103, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Station, had_vehicle_of_type,        SLE_FILE_U16 | SLE_VAR_U8,   SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_122),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Station, had_vehicle_of_type,        SLE_UINT8,                 SLV_122, SL_MAX_VERSION),
@@ -389,7 +388,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _base_station_desc
 	      SLE_VAR(BaseStation, xy,                     SLE_UINT32),
 	      SLE_REF(BaseStation, town,                   REF_TOWN),
 	      SLE_VAR(BaseStation, string_id,              SLE_STRINGID),
-	      SLE_STR(BaseStation, name,                   SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0),
+	     SLE_SSTR(BaseStation, name,                   SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL),
 	      SLE_VAR(BaseStation, delete_ctr,             SLE_UINT8),
 	      SLE_VAR(BaseStation, owner,                  SLE_UINT8),
 	      SLE_VAR(BaseStation, facilities,             SLE_UINT8),
diff --git a/src/saveload/strings_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/strings_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/strings_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/strings_sl.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "../string_func.h"
 #include "../strings_func.h"
 #include "saveload_internal.h"
+#include <sstream>
 
 #include "table/strings.h"
 
@@ -56,18 +57,17 @@ char *_old_name_array = nullptr;
  * @param id the StringID of the custom name to clone.
  * @return the clones custom name.
  */
-char *CopyFromOldName(StringID id)
+std::string CopyFromOldName(StringID id)
 {
 	/* Is this name an (old) custom name? */
-	if (GetStringTab(id) != TEXT_TAB_OLD_CUSTOM) return nullptr;
+	if (GetStringTab(id) != TEXT_TAB_OLD_CUSTOM) return std::string();
 
 	if (IsSavegameVersionBefore(SLV_37)) {
-		/* Allow for expansion when converted to UTF-8. */
-		char tmp[LEN_OLD_STRINGS * MAX_CHAR_LENGTH];
 		uint offs = _savegame_type == SGT_TTO ? LEN_OLD_STRINGS_TTO * GB(id, 0, 8) : LEN_OLD_STRINGS * GB(id, 0, 9);
 		const char *strfrom = &_old_name_array[offs];
-		char *strto = tmp;
 
+		std::ostringstream tmp;
+		std::ostreambuf_iterator<char> strto(tmp);
 		for (; *strfrom != '\0'; strfrom++) {
 			WChar c = (byte)*strfrom;
 
@@ -84,19 +84,13 @@ char *CopyFromOldName(StringID id)
 				default: break;
 			}
 
-			/* Check character will fit into our buffer. */
-			if (strto + Utf8CharLen(c) > lastof(tmp)) break;
-
-			strto += Utf8Encode(strto, c);
+			Utf8Encode(strto, c);
 		}
 
-		/* Terminate the new string and copy it back to the name array */
-		*strto = '\0';
-
-		return stredup(tmp);
+		return tmp.str();
 	} else {
 		/* Name will already be in UTF-8. */
-		return stredup(&_old_name_array[LEN_OLD_STRINGS * GB(id, 0, 9)]);
+		return std::string(&_old_name_array[LEN_OLD_STRINGS * GB(id, 0, 9)]);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/saveload/town_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/town_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/town_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/town_sl.cpp
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _town_desc[] = {
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Town, townnamegrfid,         SLE_UINT32, SLV_66, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	    SLE_VAR(Town, townnametype,          SLE_UINT16),
 	    SLE_VAR(Town, townnameparts,         SLE_UINT32),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(Town, name,                  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Town, name,                 SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
 	    SLE_VAR(Town, flags,                 SLE_UINT8),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Town, statues,               SLE_FILE_U8  | SLE_VAR_U16, SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_104),
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _town_desc[] = {
 
 	SLE_CONDARR(Town, goal, SLE_UINT32, NUM_TE, SLV_165, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
-	SLE_CONDSTR(Town, text,                  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_168, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(Town, text,                 SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, SLV_168, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Town, time_until_rebuild,    SLE_FILE_U8 | SLE_VAR_U16,  SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_54),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(Town, grow_counter,          SLE_FILE_U8 | SLE_VAR_U16,  SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_54),
diff --git a/src/saveload/vehicle_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/vehicle_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/vehicle_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/vehicle_sl.cpp
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ const SaveLoad *GetVehicleDescription(Ve
 
 		     SLE_REF(Vehicle, next,                  REF_VEHICLE_OLD),
 		 SLE_CONDVAR(Vehicle, name,                  SLE_NAME,                     SL_MIN_VERSION,  SLV_84),
-		 SLE_CONDSTR(Vehicle, name,                  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+		SLE_CONDSSTR(Vehicle, name,                  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL,  SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 		 SLE_CONDVAR(Vehicle, unitnumber,            SLE_FILE_U8  | SLE_VAR_U16,   SL_MIN_VERSION,   SLV_8),
 		 SLE_CONDVAR(Vehicle, unitnumber,            SLE_UINT16,                   SLV_8, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 		     SLE_VAR(Vehicle, owner,                 SLE_UINT8),
diff --git a/src/saveload/waypoint_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/waypoint_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/waypoint_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/waypoint_sl.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ struct OldWaypoint {
 	Town *town;
 	uint16 town_cn;
 	StringID string_id;
-	char *name;
+	std::string name;
 	uint8 delete_ctr;
 	Date build_date;
 	uint8 localidx;
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _old_waypoint_desc
 	SLE_CONDVAR(OldWaypoint, town_cn,    SLE_FILE_U8 | SLE_VAR_U16,  SLV_12, SLV_89),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(OldWaypoint, town_cn,    SLE_UINT16,                 SLV_89, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	SLE_CONDVAR(OldWaypoint, string_id,  SLE_STRINGID,                SL_MIN_VERSION, SLV_84),
-	SLE_CONDSTR(OldWaypoint, name,       SLE_STR, 0,                 SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
+	SLE_CONDSSTR(OldWaypoint, name,      SLE_STR,                    SLV_84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 	    SLE_VAR(OldWaypoint, delete_ctr, SLE_UINT8),
 
 	SLE_CONDVAR(OldWaypoint, build_date, SLE_FILE_U16 | SLE_VAR_I32,  SLV_3, SLV_31),
@@ -194,7 +194,6 @@ static void Load_WAYP()
 	while ((index = SlIterateArray()) != -1) {
 		/*C++17: OldWaypoint *wp = &*/ _old_waypoints.emplace_back();
 		OldWaypoint *wp = &_old_waypoints.back();
-		memset(wp, 0, sizeof(*wp));
 
 		wp->index = index;
 		SlObject(wp, _old_waypoint_desc);
diff --git a/src/signs.cpp b/src/signs.cpp
--- a/src/signs.cpp
+++ b/src/signs.cpp
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ Sign::Sign(Owner owner)
 /** Destroy the sign */
 Sign::~Sign()
 {
-	free(this->name);
-
 	if (CleaningPool()) return;
 
 	DeleteRenameSignWindow(this->index);
diff --git a/src/signs_base.h b/src/signs_base.h
--- a/src/signs_base.h
+++ b/src/signs_base.h
@@ -14,12 +14,13 @@
 #include "viewport_type.h"
 #include "core/pool_type.hpp"
 #include "company_type.h"
+#include <string>
 
 typedef Pool<Sign, SignID, 16, 64000> SignPool;
 extern SignPool _sign_pool;
 
 struct Sign : SignPool::PoolItem<&_sign_pool> {
-	char               *name;
+	std::string         name;
 	TrackedViewportSign sign;
 	int32               x;
 	int32               y;
diff --git a/src/signs_cmd.cpp b/src/signs_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/signs_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/signs_cmd.cpp
@@ -86,10 +86,8 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameSign(TileIndex tile
 		if (Utf8StringLength(text) >= MAX_LENGTH_SIGN_NAME_CHARS) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 		if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-			/* Delete the old name */
-			free(si->name);
 			/* Assign the new one */
-			si->name = stredup(text);
+			si->name = text;
 			if (_game_mode != GM_EDITOR) si->owner = _current_company;
 
 			si->UpdateVirtCoord();
diff --git a/src/signs_gui.cpp b/src/signs_gui.cpp
--- a/src/signs_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/signs_gui.cpp
@@ -75,11 +75,8 @@ struct SignList {
 		 * a lot of them. Therefore a worthwhile performance gain can be made by
 		 * directly comparing Sign::name instead of going through the string
 		 * system for each comparison. */
-		const char *a_name = a->name;
-		const char *b_name = b->name;
-
-		if (a_name == nullptr) a_name = SignList::default_name;
-		if (b_name == nullptr) b_name = SignList::default_name;
+		const char *a_name = a->name.empty() ? SignList::default_name : a->name.c_str();
+		const char *b_name = b->name.empty() ? SignList::default_name : b->name.c_str();
 
 		int r = strnatcmp(a_name, b_name); // Sort by name (natural sorting).
 
@@ -95,9 +92,7 @@ struct SignList {
 	static bool CDECL SignNameFilter(const Sign * const *a, StringFilter &filter)
 	{
 		/* Same performance benefit as above for sorting. */
-		const char *a_name = (*a)->name;
-
-		if (a_name == nullptr) a_name = SignList::default_name;
+		const char *a_name = (*a)->name.empty() ? SignList::default_name : (*a)->name.c_str();
 
 		filter.ResetState();
 		filter.AddLine(a_name);
@@ -439,7 +434,7 @@ struct SignWindow : Window, SignList {
 	void UpdateSignEditWindow(const Sign *si)
 	{
 		/* Display an empty string when the sign hasn't been edited yet */
-		if (si->name != nullptr) {
+		if (!si->name.empty()) {
 			SetDParam(0, si->index);
 			this->name_editbox.text.Assign(STR_SIGN_NAME);
 		} else {
diff --git a/src/station.cpp b/src/station.cpp
--- a/src/station.cpp
+++ b/src/station.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ void RebuildStationKdtree()
 
 BaseStation::~BaseStation()
 {
-	free(this->name);
 	free(this->speclist);
 
 	if (CleaningPool()) return;
diff --git a/src/station_cmd.cpp b/src/station_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/station_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/station_cmd.cpp
@@ -3917,7 +3917,7 @@ static uint UpdateStationWaiting(Station
 static bool IsUniqueStationName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Station *st : Station::Iterate()) {
-		if (st->name != nullptr && strcmp(st->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!st->name.empty() && st->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -3949,8 +3949,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameStation(TileIndex t
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
 		st->cached_name.clear();
-		free(st->name);
-		st->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		if (reset) {
+			st->name.clear();
+		} else {
+			st->name = text;
+		}
 
 		st->UpdateVirtCoord();
 		InvalidateWindowData(WC_STATION_LIST, st->owner, 1);
diff --git a/src/strings.cpp b/src/strings.cpp
--- a/src/strings.cpp
+++ b/src/strings.cpp
@@ -1270,8 +1270,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Company *c = Company::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32());
 				if (c == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (c->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)c->name};
+				if (!c->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)c->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1305,8 +1305,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				}
 
 				const Depot *d = Depot::Get(args->GetInt32());
-				if (d->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)d->name};
+				if (!d->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)d->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1321,8 +1321,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Engine *e = Engine::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32(SCC_ENGINE_NAME));
 				if (e == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (e->name != nullptr && e->IsEnabled()) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)e->name};
+				if (!e->name.empty() && e->IsEnabled()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)e->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1336,8 +1336,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Group *g = Group::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32());
 				if (g == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (g->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)g->name};
+				if (!g->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)g->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1373,8 +1373,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Company *c = Company::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32(SCC_PRESIDENT_NAME));
 				if (c == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (c->president_name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)c->president_name};
+				if (!c->president_name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)c->president_name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1398,8 +1398,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 					break;
 				}
 
-				if (st->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)st->name};
+				if (!st->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)st->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1428,8 +1428,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Town *t = Town::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32(SCC_TOWN_NAME));
 				if (t == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (t->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)t->name};
+				if (!t->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)t->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1442,8 +1442,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				Waypoint *wp = Waypoint::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32(SCC_WAYPOINT_NAME));
 				if (wp == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (wp->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)wp->name};
+				if (!wp->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)wp->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1460,8 +1460,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Vehicle *v = Vehicle::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32(SCC_VEHICLE_NAME));
 				if (v == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (v->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)v->name};
+				if (!v->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)v->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
@@ -1486,8 +1486,8 @@ static char *FormatString(char *buff, co
 				const Sign *si = Sign::GetIfValid(args->GetInt32());
 				if (si == nullptr) break;
 
-				if (si->name != nullptr) {
-					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)si->name};
+				if (!si->name.empty()) {
+					int64 args_array[] = {(int64)(size_t)si->name.c_str()};
 					StringParameters tmp_params(args_array);
 					buff = GetStringWithArgs(buff, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, &tmp_params, last);
 				} else {
diff --git a/src/town.h b/src/town.h
--- a/src/town.h
+++ b/src/town.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ struct Town : TownPool::PoolItem<&_town_
 	uint32 townnamegrfid;
 	uint16 townnametype;
 	uint32 townnameparts;
-	char *name;                    ///< Custom town name. If nullptr, the town was not renamed and uses the generated name.
+	std::string name;                ///< Custom town name. If empty, the town was not renamed and uses the generated name.
 	mutable std::string cached_name; ///< NOSAVE: Cache of the resolved name of the town, if not using a custom town name
 
 	byte flags;                    ///< See #TownFlags.
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ struct Town : TownPool::PoolItem<&_town_
 	TransportedCargoStat<uint16> received[NUM_TE];    ///< Cargo statistics about received cargotypes.
 	uint32 goal[NUM_TE];                              ///< Amount of cargo required for the town to grow.
 
-	char *text; ///< General text with additional information.
+	std::string text; ///< General text with additional information.
 
 	inline byte GetPercentTransported(CargoID cid) const { return this->supplied[cid].old_act * 256 / (this->supplied[cid].old_max + 1); }
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ struct Town : TownPool::PoolItem<&_town_
 
 	inline const char *GetCachedName() const
 	{
-		if (this->name != nullptr) return this->name;
+		if (!this->name.empty()) return this->name.c_str();
 		if (this->cached_name.empty()) this->FillCachedName();
 		return this->cached_name.c_str();
 	}
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ template <class T>
 void MakeDefaultName(T *obj)
 {
 	/* We only want to set names if it hasn't been set before, or when we're calling from afterload. */
-	assert(obj->name == nullptr || obj->town_cn == UINT16_MAX);
+	assert(obj->name.empty() || obj->town_cn == UINT16_MAX);
 
 	obj->town = ClosestTownFromTile(obj->xy, UINT_MAX);
 
diff --git a/src/town_cmd.cpp b/src/town_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/town_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/town_cmd.cpp
@@ -101,9 +101,6 @@ static bool TestTownOwnsBridge(TileIndex
 
 Town::~Town()
 {
-	free(this->name);
-	free(this->text);
-
 	if (CleaningPool()) return;
 
 	/* Delete town authority window
@@ -1854,7 +1851,7 @@ static CommandCost TownCanBePlacedHere(T
 static bool IsUniqueTownName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Town *t : Town::Iterate()) {
-		if (t->name != nullptr && strcmp(t->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!t->name.empty() && t->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -2706,8 +2703,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameTown(TileIndex tile
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
 		t->cached_name.clear();
-		free(t->name);
-		t->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		if (reset) {
+			t->name.clear();
+		} else {
+			t->name = text;
+		}
 
 		t->UpdateVirtCoord();
 		InvalidateWindowData(WC_TOWN_DIRECTORY, 0, TDIWD_FORCE_RESORT);
@@ -2783,8 +2783,8 @@ CommandCost CmdTownSetText(TileIndex til
 	if (t == nullptr) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		free(t->text);
-		t->text = StrEmpty(text) ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		t->text.clear();
+		if (!StrEmpty(text)) t->text = text;
 		InvalidateWindowData(WC_TOWN_VIEW, p1);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/town_gui.cpp b/src/town_gui.cpp
--- a/src/town_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/town_gui.cpp
@@ -434,8 +434,8 @@ public:
 			DrawString(r.left + WD_FRAMERECT_LEFT, r.right - WD_FRAMERECT_LEFT, y += FONT_HEIGHT_NORMAL, STR_TOWN_VIEW_NOISE_IN_TOWN);
 		}
 
-		if (this->town->text != nullptr) {
-			SetDParamStr(0, this->town->text);
+		if (!this->town->text.empty()) {
+			SetDParamStr(0, this->town->text.c_str());
 			DrawStringMultiLine(r.left + WD_FRAMERECT_LEFT, r.right - WD_FRAMERECT_RIGHT, y += FONT_HEIGHT_NORMAL, UINT16_MAX, STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, TC_BLACK);
 		}
 	}
@@ -516,8 +516,8 @@ public:
 
 		if (_settings_game.economy.station_noise_level) aimed_height += FONT_HEIGHT_NORMAL;
 
-		if (this->town->text != nullptr) {
-			SetDParamStr(0, this->town->text);
+		if (!this->town->text.empty()) {
+			SetDParamStr(0, this->town->text.c_str());
 			aimed_height += GetStringHeight(STR_JUST_RAW_STRING, width - WD_FRAMERECT_LEFT - WD_FRAMERECT_RIGHT);
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/townname.cpp b/src/townname.cpp
--- a/src/townname.cpp
+++ b/src/townname.cpp
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ bool VerifyTownName(uint32 r, const Town
 		for (const Town *t : Town::Iterate()) {
 			/* We can't just compare the numbers since
 			 * several numbers may map to a single name. */
-			const char *buf = t->name;
+			const char *buf = t->name.empty() ? nullptr : t->name.c_str();
 			if (buf == nullptr) {
 				GetTownName(buf2, t, lastof(buf2));
 				buf = buf2;
diff --git a/src/vehicle_cmd.cpp b/src/vehicle_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/vehicle_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/vehicle_cmd.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 #include "newgrf.h"
 #include "company_base.h"
 #include "core/random_func.hpp"
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iomanip>
 
 #include "table/strings.h"
 
@@ -749,7 +751,7 @@ CommandCost CmdDepotMassAutoReplace(Tile
 static bool IsUniqueVehicleName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Vehicle *v : Vehicle::Iterate()) {
-		if (v->name != nullptr && strcmp(v->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!v->name.empty() && v->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -762,42 +764,48 @@ static bool IsUniqueVehicleName(const ch
  */
 static void CloneVehicleName(const Vehicle *src, Vehicle *dst)
 {
-	char buf[256];
+	std::string buf;
 
 	/* Find the position of the first digit in the last group of digits. */
 	size_t number_position;
-	for (number_position = strlen(src->name); number_position > 0; number_position--) {
+	for (number_position = src->name.length(); number_position > 0; number_position--) {
 		/* The design of UTF-8 lets this work simply without having to check
 		 * for UTF-8 sequences. */
 		if (src->name[number_position - 1] < '0' || src->name[number_position - 1] > '9') break;
 	}
 
 	/* Format buffer and determine starting number. */
-	int num;
+	long num;
 	byte padding = 0;
-	if (number_position == strlen(src->name)) {
+	if (number_position == src->name.length()) {
 		/* No digit at the end, so start at number 2. */
-		strecpy(buf, src->name, lastof(buf));
-		strecat(buf, " ", lastof(buf));
-		number_position = strlen(buf);
+		buf = src->name;
+		buf += " ";
+		number_position = buf.length();
 		num = 2;
 	} else {
 		/* Found digits, parse them and start at the next number. */
-		strecpy(buf, src->name, lastof(buf));
-		buf[number_position] = '\0';
-		char *endptr;
-		num = strtol(&src->name[number_position], &endptr, 10) + 1;
-		padding = endptr - &src->name[number_position];
+		buf = src->name.substr(0, number_position);
+
+		auto num_str = src->name.substr(number_position);
+		padding = (byte)num_str.length();
+
+		std::istringstream iss(num_str);
+		iss >> num;
+		num++;
 	}
 
 	/* Check if this name is already taken. */
 	for (int max_iterations = 1000; max_iterations > 0; max_iterations--, num++) {
+		std::ostringstream oss;
+
 		/* Attach the number to the temporary name. */
-		seprintf(&buf[number_position], lastof(buf), "%0*d", padding, num);
+		oss << buf << std::setw(padding) << std::setfill('0') << std::internal << num;
 
 		/* Check the name is unique. */
-		if (IsUniqueVehicleName(buf)) {
-			dst->name = stredup(buf);
+		auto new_name = oss.str();
+		if (IsUniqueVehicleName(new_name.c_str())) {
+			dst->name = new_name;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
@@ -973,7 +981,7 @@ CommandCost CmdCloneVehicle(TileIndex ti
 		DoCommand(0, w_front->index | (p2 & 1 ? CO_SHARE : CO_COPY) << 30, v_front->index, flags, CMD_CLONE_ORDER);
 
 		/* Now clone the vehicle's name, if it has one. */
-		if (v_front->name != nullptr) CloneVehicleName(v_front, w_front);
+		if (!v_front->name.empty()) CloneVehicleName(v_front, w_front);
 	}
 
 	/* Since we can't estimate the cost of cloning a vehicle accurately we must
@@ -1074,8 +1082,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameVehicle(TileIndex t
 	}
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		free(v->name);
-		v->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		if (reset) {
+			v->name.clear();
+		} else {
+			v->name = text;
+		}
 		InvalidateWindowClassesData(GetWindowClassForVehicleType(v->type), 1);
 		MarkWholeScreenDirty();
 	}
diff --git a/src/vehicle_gui.cpp b/src/vehicle_gui.cpp
--- a/src/vehicle_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/vehicle_gui.cpp
@@ -1395,7 +1395,7 @@ void BaseVehicleListWindow::DrawVehicleL
 		DrawVehicleImage(v, image_left, image_right, y + FONT_HEIGHT_SMALL - 1, selected_vehicle, EIT_IN_LIST, 0);
 		DrawString(text_left, text_right, y + line_height - FONT_HEIGHT_SMALL - WD_FRAMERECT_BOTTOM - 1, STR_VEHICLE_LIST_PROFIT_THIS_YEAR_LAST_YEAR);
 
-		if (v->name != nullptr) {
+		if (!v->name.empty()) {
 			/* The vehicle got a name so we will print it */
 			SetDParam(0, v->index);
 			DrawString(text_left, text_right, y, STR_TINY_BLACK_VEHICLE);
diff --git a/src/waypoint_cmd.cpp b/src/waypoint_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/waypoint_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/waypoint_cmd.cpp
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ CommandCost RemoveBuoy(TileIndex tile, D
 static bool IsUniqueWaypointName(const char *name)
 {
 	for (const Waypoint *wp : Waypoint::Iterate()) {
-		if (wp->name != nullptr && strcmp(wp->name, name) == 0) return false;
+		if (!wp->name.empty() && wp->name == name) return false;
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -431,8 +431,11 @@ CommandCost CmdRenameWaypoint(TileIndex 
 	}
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		free(wp->name);
-		wp->name = reset ? nullptr : stredup(text);
+		if (reset) {
+			wp->name.clear();
+		} else {
+			wp->name = text;
+		}
 
 		wp->UpdateVirtCoord();
 	}