diff --git a/docs/labwc-config.5.scd b/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
index e658e7d8..2ba5ce19 100644
--- a/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
+++ b/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
@@ -313,10 +313,9 @@ extending outward from the snapped edge.
 ## WORKSPACES
 
 *<desktops number=""><names><name>*
-	Define workspaces. A workspace covers all outputs. The OSD only shows
-	windows on the current workspace. Workspaces can be switched to with
-	GoToDesktop and windows can be moved with SendToDesktop. See
-	labwc-actions(5) for more information about their arguments.
+	Define workspaces. A workspace covers all outputs. Workspaces can be
+	switched to with GoToDesktop and windows can be moved with SendToDesktop.
+	See labwc-actions(5) for more information about their arguments.
 
 	The number attribute defines the minimum number of workspaces. Default
 	is 1. The number attribute is optional. If the number attribute is
@@ -326,6 +325,9 @@ extending outward from the snapped edge.
 	Define the timeout after which to hide the workspace OSD.
 	A setting of 0 disables the OSD. Default is 1000 ms.
 
+*<desktops><prefix>*
+	Set the prefix to use when using "number" above. Default is "Workspace"
+
 ## THEME
 
 *<theme><name>*
diff --git a/docs/rc.xml.all b/docs/rc.xml.all
index 3b207653..3865c571 100644
--- a/docs/rc.xml.all
+++ b/docs/rc.xml.all
@@ -100,9 +100,21 @@
     Or it can also be configured like this:
     <desktops number="4" />
 
+    Or like this:
+    <desktops>
+      <popupTime>500</popupTime>
+      <number>5</number>
+      <prefix>ws</prefix>
+    </desktops>
+
+    Or:
+    <desktops number="4" popupTime="500" prefix="ws" />
+
     popupTime defaults to 1000 so could be left out.
     Set to 0 to completely disable the workspace OSD.
 
+    prefix defaults to "Workspace" when using number instead of names.
+
     Use GoToDesktop left | right to switch workspaces.
     Use SendToDesktop left | right to move windows.
     See man labwc-actions for further information.
diff --git a/include/config/rcxml.h b/include/config/rcxml.h
index a0250711..277db849 100644
--- a/include/config/rcxml.h
+++ b/include/config/rcxml.h
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ struct rcxml {
 	struct {
 		int popuptime;
 		int min_nr_workspaces;
+		char *prefix;
 		struct wl_list workspaces;  /* struct workspace.link */
 	} workspace_config;
 
diff --git a/src/config/rcxml.c b/src/config/rcxml.c
index 1b2265d2..e672aebd 100644
--- a/src/config/rcxml.c
+++ b/src/config/rcxml.c
@@ -934,6 +934,8 @@ entry(xmlNode *node, char *nodename, char *content)
 		rc.workspace_config.popuptime = atoi(content);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "number.desktops")) {
 		rc.workspace_config.min_nr_workspaces = MAX(1, atoi(content));
+	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "prefix.desktops")) {
+		rc.workspace_config.prefix = xstrdup(content);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "popupShow.resize")) {
 		if (!strcasecmp(content, "Always")) {
 			rc.resize_indicator = LAB_RESIZE_INDICATOR_ALWAYS;
@@ -1465,10 +1467,14 @@ post_processing(void)
 
 	int nr_workspaces = wl_list_length(&rc.workspace_config.workspaces);
 	if (nr_workspaces < rc.workspace_config.min_nr_workspaces) {
+		if (!rc.workspace_config.prefix) {
+			rc.workspace_config.prefix = xstrdup("Workspace");
+		}
 		struct workspace *workspace;
 		for (int i = nr_workspaces; i < rc.workspace_config.min_nr_workspaces; i++) {
 			workspace = znew(*workspace);
-			workspace->name = strdup_printf("Workspace %d", i + 1);
+			workspace->name = strdup_printf("%s %d",
+				rc.workspace_config.prefix, i + 1);
 			wl_list_append(&rc.workspace_config.workspaces, &workspace->link);
 		}
 	}
@@ -1638,6 +1644,7 @@ rcxml_finish(void)
 	zfree(rc.font_menuitem.name);
 	zfree(rc.font_osd.name);
 	zfree(rc.theme_name);
+	zfree(rc.workspace_config.prefix);
 
 	struct usable_area_override *area, *area_tmp;
 	wl_list_for_each_safe(area, area_tmp, &rc.usable_area_overrides, link) {