diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e7e2bc1..300826a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -144,6 +144,9 @@ sleep_for() {
 otel_trace_start_parent_span sleep_for 1
 # Start a child span, associated to the parent
 otel_trace_start_child_span sleep_for 2
+# Start a child span with a custom name
+local span_name="Sleeping"
+otel_trace_start_child_span sleep_for 3
 
 log_info "TraceId: ${OTEL_TRACE_ID}"
 ```
diff --git a/library/otel_traces.sh b/library/otel_traces.sh
index 479ef31..1d1eeb0 100644
--- a/library/otel_traces.sh
+++ b/library/otel_traces.sh
@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@ otel_trace_start_parent_span() {
 	local name=$1
 	local span_id=$(generate_uuid 8)
 
+	if [ -n "${span_name-}" ]; then
+	  name=$span_name
+  fi
+
 	local start_time_unix_nano=$(get_epoch_now)
   local exit_code=0
 	"$@" && exit_code=$? || exit_code=$?
@@ -124,6 +128,10 @@ otel_trace_start_child_span() {
 	local name=$1
 	local span_id=$(generate_uuid 8)
 
+	if [ -n "${span_name-}" ]; then
+    name=$span_name
+  fi
+
 	local start_time_unix_nano=$(get_epoch_now)
   local exit_code=0
 	"$@" && exit_code=$? || exit_code=$?