diff --git a/docs/launcher.md b/docs/launcher.md
index e2c323e7..f105a8d8 100644
--- a/docs/launcher.md
+++ b/docs/launcher.md
@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@ keeps working unchanged.
 - **Registry.** The ordered slot list and which one is active persist in
   `options.lua` (via the existing `SaveData.loadOptions`/`saveOptions`):
   `options.saveSlots = { [version] = { list = {"slot1", ...}, active = "slot1" } }`.
+  Custom slot labels (#205) live alongside them in the same registry:
+  `options.saveSlots[version].names = { slot1 = "Nuzlocke" }`, written by
+  `SaveData.renameSlot` (trimmed; an empty label clears it) and surfaced on
+  each `listSlots` row as `label` (the launcher row shows `label`, falling
+  back to the player name). `deleteSlot` drops the label with the slot.
+  Renaming never touches the save file, so an empty slot can be labeled.
+  On desktop, right-clicking a slot row opens the inline rename modal
+  (Enter commits, Esc cancels); touch has no secondary button, so the
+  affordance is desktop-only.
 - **Active slot resolution.** `saveNames(version)`, the function every
   existing caller (`TitleState` hasSave/load/save, recovery order) already
   goes through, now resolves the *active* slot instead of a fixed flat name.
diff --git a/main.lua b/main.lua
index 007fe074..a965f599 100644
--- a/main.lua
+++ b/main.lua
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ function love.mousemoved(x, y)
 end
 
 function love.textinput(text)
-  if Importer then return end
+  if Importer then return Importer:textinput(text) end
   if editorMode and EditorApp.textinput then
     return EditorApp.textinput(text)
   end
diff --git a/src/core/SaveData.lua b/src/core/SaveData.lua
index 3d540cc7..d02d3177 100644
--- a/src/core/SaveData.lua
+++ b/src/core/SaveData.lua
@@ -458,11 +458,44 @@ function SaveData.listSlots(version)
   for _, id in ipairs(list) do
     local save = decodeSlot(fs, version, id)
     local name, meta = SaveData.slotSummary(save)
-    out[#out + 1] = { id = id, exists = save ~= nil, name = name, meta = meta }
+    out[#out + 1] = { id = id, exists = save ~= nil, name = name, meta = meta,
+                      label = reg.names and reg.names[id] or nil }
   end
   return out
 end
 
+-- Give a registered slot a custom label (#205: "a way to name save slots so
+-- you can see that in the launcher").  The label lives in the options
+-- registry next to list/active, never in the save file itself, so renaming
+-- needs no save rewrite and an empty slot can be labeled too.  The label is
+-- trimmed; an empty (or whitespace-only) one clears it.  Returns true, or
+-- false + an error string when the id is not registered.
+function SaveData.renameSlot(version, slotId, name)
+  version = version or GameVersion.get()
+  if not knownVersion(version) then return false, "unknown version" end
+  if type(slotId) ~= "string" or slotId == "" then
+    return false, "missing slot id"
+  end
+  local fs = persistFs(nil)
+  local opts = SaveData.loadOptions(fs)
+  opts.saveSlots = opts.saveSlots or {}
+  local reg = opts.saveSlots[version]
+  if not reg or not reg.list then return false, "slot not registered" end
+  local found = false
+  for _, id in ipairs(reg.list) do
+    if id == slotId then found = true break end
+  end
+  if not found then return false, "slot not registered" end
+  local label = type(name) == "string" and name:match("^%s*(.-)%s*$") or nil
+  if label == "" then label = nil end
+  reg.names = reg.names or {}
+  reg.names[slotId] = label
+  if next(reg.names) == nil then reg.names = nil end
+  opts.saveSlots[version] = reg
+  SaveData.saveOptions(opts, fs)
+  return true
+end
+
 -- Point the active slot at slotId (registering it if new) and persist the
 -- choice to options.lua; also update the process-global cache so the very
 -- next save/load lands in the chosen slot.
@@ -580,6 +613,7 @@ function SaveData.deleteSlot(version, slotId)
   remove(fs, tmp)
 
   table.remove(reg.list, idx)
+  if reg.names then reg.names[slotId] = nil end
   if reg.active == slotId then
     reg.active = reg.list[1]  -- may be nil when the list is now empty
   end
diff --git a/src/import/RomImporter.lua b/src/import/RomImporter.lua
index 147ff030..42c48d1d 100644
--- a/src/import/RomImporter.lua
+++ b/src/import/RomImporter.lua
@@ -1005,6 +1005,31 @@ local function printB(text, x, y)
   love.graphics.print(text, x + 0.6, y)
 end
 
+-- UTF-8 helpers for the slot-rename field (#205).  The `utf8` library only
+-- exists inside LOVE (plain luajit, which loads this module in tests, has
+-- none), so codepoint walking is done by hand -- the same lead-byte width
+-- classes GenSave's encodeName uses.  utf8Back drops the last codepoint;
+-- utf8Cap truncates to maxChars whole codepoints.
+local function utf8Back(t)
+  local i = #t
+  while i > 0 do
+    local b = t:byte(i)
+    i = i - 1
+    if b < 0x80 or b >= 0xC0 then break end -- lead or ASCII: dropped, done
+  end
+  return t:sub(1, i)
+end
+local function utf8Cap(t, maxChars)
+  local count, i = 0, 1
+  while i <= #t do
+    count = count + 1
+    if count > maxChars then return t:sub(1, i - 1) end
+    local b = t:byte(i)
+    i = i + ((b < 0x80) and 1 or (b < 0xE0) and 2 or (b < 0xF0) and 3 or 4)
+  end
+  return t
+end
+
 -- One reusable unit quad, recoloured per call, for every vertical gradient
 -- fill (LOVE has no gradient primitive and a per-frame newMesh would churn
 -- the GPU).  Callers set the blend mode; this only touches colour + geometry.
@@ -1522,6 +1547,50 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- events reach the launcher, so click-vs-drag is resolved here)
   self:_updateSlotDrag()
 
+  -- save-slot rename modal (#205), drawn over everything
+  if self._rename then
+    col(PAL.bgBot, 0.72)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+    local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 420 * s)
+    local dh = 128 * s
+    local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
+    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local rr = 12 * s
+    neonGlow(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.green, 0.4)
+    fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.85, 0.85)
+    love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
+    col(PAL.green, 0.5)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("line", dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, rr)
+
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.slotNameFont)
+    col(PAL.white)
+    love.graphics.print(Strings("Name save slot"), dx + 16 * s, dy + 14 * s)
+
+    -- the field: bordered strip, current text, blinking caret on the pulse
+    local fx, fy = dx + 16 * s, dy + 44 * s
+    local fw, fh = dw - 32 * s, 30 * s
+    col(PAL.bgBot, 0.9)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", fx, fy, fw, fh, 8 * s, 8 * s)
+    love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, s))
+    col(PAL.cardBorder, 0.45)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("line", fx, fy, fw, fh, 8 * s, 8 * s)
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.detailFont)
+    col(PAL.heading)
+    local shown = ellipsize(self.detailFont, self._rename.text, fw - 20 * s)
+    love.graphics.print(shown, fx + 10 * s, fy + (fh - self.detailFont:getHeight()) / 2)
+    if (self.pulse * 2 % 1) < 0.5 then
+      local cx = fx + 10 * s + self.detailFont:getWidth(shown) + 2 * s
+      col(PAL.green)
+      love.graphics.rectangle("fill", cx, fy + 6 * s, math.max(1, 1.5 * s),
+        fh - 12 * s)
+    end
+
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.hintFont)
+    col(PAL.detail)
+    printfB(Strings("Enter to save - Esc to cancel - empty clears"),
+      dx + 16 * s, dy + dh - 30 * s, dw - 32 * s, "left")
+  end
+
   -- pointer cursor over any interactive element (desktop only)
   if self._hoverEnabled and love.mouse.isCursorSupported and love.mouse.isCursorSupported() then
     if self._anyHover then
@@ -1538,6 +1607,20 @@ local function inside(r, x, y)
 end
 
 function RomImporter:mousepressed(x, y, button)
+  if self._rename then return end -- the rename modal swallows all clicks
+  -- right-click a save-slot row to rename it (#205); desktop only (touch
+  -- has no secondary button)
+  if button == 2 then
+    if not self.android and self.workState ~= "working" then
+      for _, r in ipairs(self.slotRects or {}) do
+        if inside(r, x, y) then
+          self:_beginRename(self.panelVersion, r.id)
+          return
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    return
+  end
   if button ~= 1 then return end
   if inside(self.bcgButton, x, y) or inside(self.linkUrlRect, x, y) then
     love.system.openURL(COMMUNITY_URL)
@@ -1642,6 +1725,16 @@ function RomImporter:mousepressed(x, y, button)
 end
 
 function RomImporter:keypressed(key)
+  if self._rename then
+    if key == "backspace" then
+      self._rename.text = utf8Back(self._rename.text)
+    elseif key == "return" or key == "kpenter" then
+      self:_commitRename()
+    elseif key == "escape" then
+      self._rename = nil
+    end
+    return
+  end
   if self.workState == "working" then return end
   if key == "return" or key == "space" or key == "kpenter" then
     -- Enter acts on the visible game tab: Play if its ROM is ready, otherwise
@@ -2069,6 +2162,33 @@ function RomImporter:_selectSlot(version, id)
   self.activeSlot[version] = id
 end
 
+-- Inline slot rename (#205): right-click arms a modal text field; Enter
+-- commits through SaveData.renameSlot (empty clears the label), Esc cancels.
+-- While it is up, keypressed/textinput/mousepressed all route here first.
+local MAX_SLOT_LABEL = 24
+
+function RomImporter:_beginRename(version, id)
+  local label
+  for _, slot in ipairs(self.slots[version] or {}) do
+    if slot.id == id then label = slot.label break end
+  end
+  self._rename = { version = version, id = id, text = label or "" }
+  self._slotPress = nil -- cancel any armed click/drag on the list
+end
+
+function RomImporter:_commitRename()
+  local r = self._rename
+  if not r then return end
+  self._rename = nil
+  require("src.core.SaveData").renameSlot(r.version, r.id, r.text)
+  self:_refreshSlots(r.version)
+end
+
+function RomImporter:textinput(text)
+  if not self._rename then return end
+  self._rename.text = utf8Cap(self._rename.text .. text, MAX_SLOT_LABEL)
+end
+
 -- "+ New save slot": register an empty slot, make it active, relist, and pin the
 -- scroll to the bottom (clamped next draw) so the new row is on screen.
 function RomImporter:_newSlot(version)
@@ -2242,7 +2362,8 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
 
         love.graphics.setFont(self.slotNameFont)
         col(PAL.white)
-        local name = slot.name or Strings("NEW GAME")
+        -- a custom label (#205) wins over the player name; both ellipsize
+        local name = slot.label or slot.name or Strings("NEW GAME")
         printB(ellipsize(self.slotNameFont, name, rw - 24 * s - math.max(pillW, rightReserve)),
           rx + 12 * s, ry + rowPadV)
 
diff --git a/tests/engine/save_slots.lua b/tests/engine/save_slots.lua
index b86dd1fa..89ff8a82 100644
--- a/tests/engine/save_slots.lua
+++ b/tests/engine/save_slots.lua
@@ -219,6 +219,50 @@ do
   T.check(loaded and loaded.player.name == "SLOT2", "load reads back from slot2")
 end
 
+-- ---------------------------------------------- renameSlot (#205)
+
+do
+  local files = fresh()
+  local a = SaveData.createSlot("red")
+  local b = SaveData.createSlot("red")
+  local save = SaveData.newGame()
+  save.player.name = "ASH"
+  T.check(SaveData.writeSlot("red", a, save), "seed slot1 with a save")
+
+  T.check(SaveData.renameSlot("red", a, "Nuzlocke"),
+    "renameSlot labels a registered slot")
+  local opts = SaveSerializer.decode(files["options.lua"])
+  T.eq(opts.saveSlots.red.names[a], "Nuzlocke",
+    "the label persists in the options registry")
+
+  local slots = SaveData.listSlots("red")
+  T.eq(slots[1].label, "Nuzlocke", "listSlots carries the custom label")
+  T.eq(slots[1].name, "ASH", "the player name still comes through separately")
+  T.eq(slots[2].label, nil, "an unlabeled slot has no label")
+
+  T.check(SaveData.renameSlot("red", b, "  "), "whitespace-only clears")
+  T.check(SaveData.renameSlot("red", a, ""),
+    "an empty name clears the label")
+  opts = SaveSerializer.decode(files["options.lua"])
+  T.eq(opts.saveSlots.red.names and opts.saveSlots.red.names[a], nil,
+    "cleared labels leave the registry")
+  T.eq(SaveData.listSlots("red")[1].label, nil, "the row is unlabeled again")
+
+  -- trimming + delete cleanup
+  T.check(SaveData.renameSlot("red", a, "  Victory run  "),
+    "renameSlot trims the label")
+  T.eq(SaveData.listSlots("red")[1].label, "Victory run",
+    "the stored label is trimmed")
+  T.check(SaveData.deleteSlot("red", a), "delete the labeled slot")
+  opts = SaveSerializer.decode(files["options.lua"])
+  T.eq(opts.saveSlots.red.names[a], nil, "deleteSlot drops the label too")
+
+  local bad, badErr = SaveData.renameSlot("red", "slot99", "x")
+  T.check(not bad, "renaming an unknown slot fails")
+  T.check(tostring(badErr):find("not registered", 1, true) ~= nil,
+    "unknown-slot rename error is user-presentable")
+end
+
 -- ---------------------------------------------- a version with no slots
 
 do