diff --git a/ecc/ecc.go b/ecc/ecc.go
index 70925ca1b1..b45637946f 100644
--- a/ecc/ecc.go
+++ b/ecc/ecc.go
@@ -45,8 +45,9 @@ func Implemented() []ID {
 }
 
 func IDFromString(s string) (ID, error) {
+	s = strings.ToLower(s)
 	for _, id := range Implemented() {
-		if strings.ToLower(s) == id.String() {
+		if s == id.String() {
 			return id, nil
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/hash/all/allhashes.go b/hash/all/allhashes.go
index a06636e056..6036a3c4cf 100644
--- a/hash/all/allhashes.go
+++ b/hash/all/allhashes.go
@@ -3,10 +3,29 @@ package all
 import (
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls12-377/fr/mimc"
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls12-377/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls12-381/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls12-381/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls24-315/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls24-315/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls24-317/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bls24-317/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bn254/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bn254/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bw6-633/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bw6-633/fr/poseidon2"
+
 	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bw6-761/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/bw6-761/fr/poseidon2"
+
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/field/babybear/poseidon2"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/field/goldilocks/poseidon2"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/field/koalabear/poseidon2"
+
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/grumpkin/fr/mimc"
+	_ "github.com/consensys/gnark-crypto/ecc/grumpkin/fr/poseidon2"
 )
diff --git a/hash/hashes.go b/hash/hashes.go
index 140b674b6f..e43bea331e 100644
--- a/hash/hashes.go
+++ b/hash/hashes.go
@@ -9,7 +9,36 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
-var hashes = make([]func() hash.Hash, maxHash)
+var (
+	hashes       = make([]func() hash.Hash, maxHash)
+	hashesByName = make(map[string]func() hash.Hash)
+)
+
+func findStdHashByName(name string) Hash {
+	for h := range maxHash {
+		if h.String() == name {
+			return h
+		}
+	}
+	return maxHash
+}
+
+// NewHash returns a new hash.Hash object for the given hash function name.
+// It can be a standard hash function (e.g. "MIMC_BN254"),
+// or a custom hash function defined by the user through [RegisterCustomHash].
+func NewHash(name string) hash.Hash {
+	// first see if it's a standard hash function
+	if h := findStdHashByName(name); h < maxHash {
+		return h.New()
+	}
+
+	// see if it's a custom hash function - registered by the user
+	if f, ok := hashesByName[name]; ok {
+		return f()
+	}
+
+	panic(fmt.Errorf("hash function \"%s\" not registered", name))
+}
 
 // RegisterHash registers a new hash function constructor. Should be called in
 // the init function of the hash package.
@@ -20,7 +49,16 @@ func RegisterHash(h Hash, new func() hash.Hash) {
 	hashes[h] = new
 }
 
-// Hash defines an unique identifier for a hash function.
+// RegisterCustomHash registers a new hash function constructor, retrievable by name
+// using NewHash. It does not allow overwriting standard hash functions.
+func RegisterCustomHash(name string, new func() hash.Hash) {
+	if h := findStdHashByName(name); h < maxHash {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("cannot overwrite standard hash function \"%s\"", name))
+	}
+	hashesByName[name] = new
+}
+
+// Hash defines a unique identifier for a hash function.
 type Hash uint
 
 const (