diff --git a/R/repair-names.R b/R/repair-names.R
index 9edaa5294..228c17804 100644
--- a/R/repair-names.R
+++ b/R/repair-names.R
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 #' Repair object names.
 #'
 #' \code{repair_names} ensures its input has non-missing and
-#' unique names. It also strips any leading or trailing spaces.
-#' Valid names are left as is.
+#' unique names (duplicated names get a numeric suffix). Valid names are
+#' left as is.
 #'
 #' @param x A named vector.
 #' @param prefix A string, the prefix to use for new column names.
-#' @param sep A string, inserted between the column name and de-duplicating
+#' @param sep A string inserted between the column name and de-duplicating
 #'    number.
 #' @return \code{x} with valid names.
 #' @export
@@ -41,8 +41,9 @@ repair_names <- function(x, prefix = "V", sep = "") {
 
 init_names <- function(x) {
   xnames <- names(x)
-  if (is.null(xnames))
+  if (is.null(xnames)) {
     rep("", length(x))
-  else
-    ifelse(is.na(xnames), "", trim_ws(xnames))
+  } else {
+    ifelse(is.na(xnames), "", xnames)
+  }
 }
diff --git a/man/repair_names.Rd b/man/repair_names.Rd
index 7ef434a5f..bae3e9814 100644
--- a/man/repair_names.Rd
+++ b/man/repair_names.Rd
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ repair_names(x, prefix = "V", sep = "")
 
 \item{prefix}{A string, the prefix to use for new column names.}
 
-\item{sep}{A string, inserted between the column name and de-duplicating
+\item{sep}{A string inserted between the column name and de-duplicating
 number.}
 }
 \value{
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ number.}
 }
 \description{
 \code{repair_names} ensures its input has non-missing and
-unique names. It also strips any leading or trailing spaces.
-Valid names are left as is.
+unique names (duplicated names get a numeric suffix). Valid names are
+left as is.
 }
 \examples{
 repair_names(list(3, 4, 5)) # works for lists, too
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-repair_names.R b/tests/testthat/test-repair_names.R
index 199917676..ba288fc32 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-repair_names.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-repair_names.R
@@ -45,8 +45,6 @@ test_that("repair various name problems", {
 
     # ensure we start with a "bad" state
     old_names <- colnames(dat)
-    if (!is.null(old_names))
-      old_names <- trim_ws(old_names)
     expect_true(is.null(old_names) ||
                   any(table(old_names) > 1) ||
                   any(old_names == '' | is.na(old_names)) ||