diff --git a/src/c_cmds.cpp b/src/c_cmds.cpp
index 7b6f1d195f..89005dbc78 100644
--- a/src/c_cmds.cpp
+++ b/src/c_cmds.cpp
@@ -986,14 +986,10 @@ CCMD(nextmap)
 				TEXTCOLOR_NORMAL " is for single-player only.\n");
 		return;
 	}
-	char *next = NULL;
 	
-	if (*level.nextmap)
-		next = level.nextmap;
-
-	if (next != NULL && strncmp(next, "enDSeQ", 6))
+	if (level.NextMap.Len() > 0 && level.NextMap.Compare("enDSeQ", 6))
 	{
-		G_DeferedInitNew(next);
+		G_DeferedInitNew(level.NextMap);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -1016,12 +1012,9 @@ CCMD(nextsecret)
 	}
 	char *next = NULL;
 	
-	if (*level.secretmap)
-		next = level.secretmap;
-
-	if (next != NULL && strncmp(next, "enDSeQ", 6))
+	if (level.NextSecretMap.Len() > 0 && level.NextSecretMap.Compare("enDSeQ", 6))
 	{
-		G_DeferedInitNew(next);
+		G_DeferedInitNew(level.NextSecretMap);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -1107,8 +1100,8 @@ static void PrintSecretString(const char *string, bool thislevel)
 
 CCMD(secret)
 {
-	const char *mapname = argv.argc() < 2? level.mapname : argv[1];
-	bool thislevel = !stricmp(mapname, level.mapname);
+	const char *mapname = argv.argc() < 2? level.MapName.GetChars() : argv[1];
+	bool thislevel = !stricmp(mapname, level.MapName);
 	bool foundsome = false;
 
 	int lumpno=Wads.CheckNumForName("SECRETS");
diff --git a/src/d_net.cpp b/src/d_net.cpp
index 170e9ed120..a2e0798b29 100644
--- a/src/d_net.cpp
+++ b/src/d_net.cpp
@@ -2573,7 +2573,7 @@ static void RunScript(BYTE **stream, APlayerPawn *pawn, int snum, int argn, int
 			arg[i] = argval;
 		}
 	}
-	P_StartScript(pawn, NULL, snum, level.mapname, arg, MIN<int>(countof(arg), argn), ACS_NET | always);
+	P_StartScript(pawn, NULL, snum, level.MapName, arg, MIN<int>(countof(arg), argn), ACS_NET | always);
 }
 
 void Net_SkipCommand (int type, BYTE **stream)
diff --git a/src/fragglescript/t_load.cpp b/src/fragglescript/t_load.cpp
index 49458c4bef..eedb68f7cf 100644
--- a/src/fragglescript/t_load.cpp
+++ b/src/fragglescript/t_load.cpp
@@ -202,15 +202,13 @@ void FScriptLoader::ParseInfoCmd(char *line, FString &scriptsrc)
 		{
 			sc.MustGetStringName("=");
 			sc.MustGetString();
-			strncpy(level.nextmap, sc.String, 8);
-			level.nextmap[8]=0;
+			level.NextMap = sc.String;
 		}
 		else if (sc.Compare("nextsecret"))
 		{
 			sc.MustGetStringName("=");
 			sc.MustGetString();
-			strncpy(level.secretmap, sc.String, 8);
-			level.secretmap[8]=0;
+			level.NextSecretMap = sc.String;
 		}
 		else if (sc.Compare("drown"))
 		{
diff --git a/src/g_game.cpp b/src/g_game.cpp
index 7875d9c3b8..045b331bf9 100644
--- a/src/g_game.cpp
+++ b/src/g_game.cpp
@@ -1621,7 +1621,7 @@ void G_DoReborn (int playernum, bool freshbot)
 		{ // Reload the level from scratch
 			bool indemo = demoplayback;
 			BackupSaveName = "";
-			G_InitNew (level.mapname, false);
+			G_InitNew (level.MapName, false);
 			demoplayback = indemo;
 //			gameaction = ga_loadlevel;
 		}
@@ -2027,7 +2027,7 @@ static void PutSaveComment (FILE *file)
 
 	// Get level name
 	//strcpy (comment, level.level_name);
-	mysnprintf(comment, countof(comment), "%s - %s", level.mapname, level.LevelName.GetChars());
+	mysnprintf(comment, countof(comment), "%s - %s", level.MapName.GetChars(), level.LevelName.GetChars());
 	len = (WORD)strlen (comment);
 	comment[len] = '\n';
 
@@ -2088,7 +2088,7 @@ void G_DoSaveGame (bool okForQuicksave, FString filename, const char *descriptio
 	M_AppendPNGText (stdfile, "Engine", GAMESIG);
 	M_AppendPNGText (stdfile, "ZDoom Save Version", SAVESIG);
 	M_AppendPNGText (stdfile, "Title", description);
-	M_AppendPNGText (stdfile, "Current Map", level.mapname);
+	M_AppendPNGText (stdfile, "Current Map", level.MapName);
 	PutSaveWads (stdfile);
 	PutSaveComment (stdfile);
 
@@ -2289,7 +2289,7 @@ void G_BeginRecording (const char *startmap)
 
 	if (startmap == NULL)
 	{
-		startmap = level.mapname;
+		startmap = level.MapName;
 	}
 	demo_p = demobuffer;
 
diff --git a/src/g_hexen/a_heresiarch.cpp b/src/g_hexen/a_heresiarch.cpp
index b5bbced2f6..15e6da9c18 100644
--- a/src/g_hexen/a_heresiarch.cpp
+++ b/src/g_hexen/a_heresiarch.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ void AHeresiarch::Die (AActor *source, AActor *inflictor, int dmgflags)
 
 	if (script != 0)
 	{
-		P_StartScript (this, NULL, script, level.mapname, NULL, 0, 0);
+		P_StartScript (this, NULL, script, level.MapName, NULL, 0, 0);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/g_level.cpp b/src/g_level.cpp
index c3e78d223f..7cbbef6e08 100644
--- a/src/g_level.cpp
+++ b/src/g_level.cpp
@@ -445,10 +445,7 @@ void G_InitNew (const char *mapname, bool bTitleLevel)
 		bglobal.Init ();
 	}
 
-	if (mapname != level.mapname)
-	{
-		strcpy (level.mapname, mapname);
-	}
+	level.MapName = mapname;
 	if (bTitleLevel)
 	{
 		gamestate = GS_TITLELEVEL;
@@ -491,9 +488,9 @@ void G_ChangeLevel(const char *levelname, int position, int flags, int nextSkill
 	{
 		// end the game
 		levelname = NULL;
-		if (!strncmp(level.nextmap, "enDSeQ",6))
+		if (!level.NextMap.Compare("enDSeQ",6))
 		{
-			levelname = level.nextmap;	// If there is already an end sequence please leave it alone!
+			nextlevel = level.NextMap;	// If there is already an end sequence please leave it alone!
 		}
 		else 
 		{
@@ -596,18 +593,18 @@ void G_ChangeLevel(const char *levelname, int position, int flags, int nextSkill
 
 const char *G_GetExitMap()
 {
-	return level.nextmap;
+	return level.NextMap;
 }
 
 const char *G_GetSecretExitMap()
 {
-	const char *nextmap = level.nextmap;
+	const char *nextmap = level.NextMap;
 
-	if (level.secretmap[0] != 0)
+	if (level.NextSecretMap.Len() > 0)
 	{
-		if (P_CheckMapData(level.secretmap))
+		if (P_CheckMapData(level.NextSecretMap))
 		{
-			nextmap = level.secretmap;
+			nextmap = level.NextSecretMap;
 		}
 	}
 	return nextmap;
@@ -641,7 +638,7 @@ void G_DoCompleted (void)
 
 	if (gamestate == GS_TITLELEVEL)
 	{
-		strncpy (level.mapname, nextlevel, 255);
+		level.MapName = nextlevel;
 		G_DoLoadLevel (startpos, false);
 		startpos = 0;
 		viewactive = true;
@@ -650,20 +647,20 @@ void G_DoCompleted (void)
 
 	// [RH] Mark this level as having been visited
 	if (!(level.flags & LEVEL_CHANGEMAPCHEAT))
-		FindLevelInfo (level.mapname)->flags |= LEVEL_VISITED;
+		FindLevelInfo (level.MapName)->flags |= LEVEL_VISITED;
 
 	if (automapactive)
 		AM_Stop ();
 
 	wminfo.finished_ep = level.cluster - 1;
 	wminfo.LName0 = TexMan[TexMan.CheckForTexture(level.info->PName, FTexture::TEX_MiscPatch)];
-	wminfo.current = level.mapname;
+	wminfo.current = level.MapName;
 
 	if (deathmatch &&
 		(dmflags & DF_SAME_LEVEL) &&
 		!(level.flags & LEVEL_CHANGEMAPCHEAT))
 	{
-		wminfo.next = level.mapname;
+		wminfo.next = level.MapName;
 		wminfo.LName1 = wminfo.LName0;
 	}
 	else
@@ -850,7 +847,7 @@ void G_DoLoadLevel (int position, bool autosave)
 			"\n\35\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36"
 			"\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\36\37\n\n"
 			TEXTCOLOR_BOLD "%s - %s\n\n",
-			level.mapname, level.LevelName.GetChars());
+			level.MapName.GetChars(), level.LevelName.GetChars());
 
 	if (wipegamestate == GS_LEVEL)
 		wipegamestate = GS_FORCEWIPE;
@@ -899,7 +896,7 @@ void G_DoLoadLevel (int position, bool autosave)
 	}
 
 	level.maptime = 0;
-	P_SetupLevel (level.mapname, position);
+	P_SetupLevel (level.MapName, position);
 
 	AM_LevelInit();
 
@@ -1056,7 +1053,7 @@ void G_DoWorldDone (void)
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		strncpy (level.mapname, nextlevel, 255);
+		level.MapName = nextlevel;
 	}
 	G_StartTravel ();
 	G_DoLoadLevel (startpos, true);
@@ -1217,7 +1214,7 @@ void G_InitLevelLocals ()
 	level.flags = 0;
 	level.flags2 = 0;
 
-	info = FindLevelInfo (level.mapname);
+	info = FindLevelInfo (level.MapName);
 
 	level.info = info;
 	level.skyspeed1 = info->skyspeed1;
@@ -1274,10 +1271,8 @@ void G_InitLevelLocals ()
 	level.musicorder = info->musicorder;
 
 	level.LevelName = level.info->LookupLevelName();
-	strncpy (level.nextmap, info->nextmap, 10);
-	level.nextmap[10] = 0;
-	strncpy (level.secretmap, info->secretmap, 10);
-	level.secretmap[10] = 0;
+	level.NextMap = info->nextmap;
+	level.NextSecretMap = info->secretmap;
 
 	compatflags.Callback();
 	compatflags2.Callback();
diff --git a/src/g_level.h b/src/g_level.h
index 85a2ff0e45..cd1e9e60d5 100644
--- a/src/g_level.h
+++ b/src/g_level.h
@@ -391,9 +391,9 @@ struct FLevelLocals
 	int			levelnum;
 	int			lumpnum;
 	FString		LevelName;
-	char		mapname[256];			// the lump name (E1M1, MAP01, etc)
-	char		nextmap[11];			// go here when using the regular exit
-	char		secretmap[11];			// map to go to when used secret exit
+	FString		MapName;			// the lump name (E1M1, MAP01, etc)
+	FString		NextMap;			// go here when using the regular exit
+	FString		NextSecretMap;		// map to go to when used secret exit
 	EMapType	maptype;
 
 	DWORD		flags;
diff --git a/src/g_shared/sbarinfo_commands.cpp b/src/g_shared/sbarinfo_commands.cpp
index a1912b21e1..629c31cb49 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/sbarinfo_commands.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/sbarinfo_commands.cpp
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ class CommandDrawString : public SBarInfoCommand
 					if(level.lumpnum != cache)
 					{
 						cache = level.lumpnum;
-						str = level.mapname;
+						str = level.MapName;
 						str.ToUpper();
 						RealignString();
 					}
diff --git a/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp b/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
index 7e8e660ee7..6b2f609b7e 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ void ST_FormatMapName(FString &mapname, const char *mapnamecolor)
 
 	if (am_showmaplabel == 1 || (am_showmaplabel == 2 && !ishub))
 	{
-		mapname << level.mapname << ": ";
+		mapname << level.MapName << ": ";
 	}
 	mapname << mapnamecolor << level.LevelName;
 }
diff --git a/src/p_acs.cpp b/src/p_acs.cpp
index 2929bb74b9..bd8c53edfd 100644
--- a/src/p_acs.cpp
+++ b/src/p_acs.cpp
@@ -6981,7 +6981,7 @@ scriptwait:
 						break;
 
 					case PRINTNAME_LEVEL:
-						work += level.mapname;
+						work += level.MapName;
 						break;
 
 					case PRINTNAME_SKILL:
@@ -8950,7 +8950,7 @@ EXTERN_CVAR (Bool, sv_cheats)
 
 int P_StartScript (AActor *who, line_t *where, int script, const char *map, const int *args, int argcount, int flags)
 {
-	if (map == NULL || 0 == strnicmp (level.mapname, map, 8))
+	if (map == NULL || 0 == strnicmp (level.MapName, map, 8))
 	{
 		FBehavior *module = NULL;
 		const ScriptPtr *scriptdata;
@@ -9003,17 +9003,17 @@ int P_StartScript (AActor *who, line_t *where, int script, const char *map, cons
 	return false;
 }
 
-void P_SuspendScript (int script, char *map)
+void P_SuspendScript (int script, const char *map)
 {
-	if (strnicmp (level.mapname, map, 8))
+	if (strnicmp (level.MapName, map, 8))
 		addDefered (FindLevelInfo (map), acsdefered_t::defsuspend, script, NULL, 0, NULL);
 	else
 		SetScriptState (script, DLevelScript::SCRIPT_Suspended);
 }
 
-void P_TerminateScript (int script, char *map)
+void P_TerminateScript (int script, const char *map)
 {
-	if (strnicmp (level.mapname, map, 8))
+	if (strnicmp (level.MapName, map, 8))
 		addDefered (FindLevelInfo (map), acsdefered_t::defterminate, script, NULL, 0, NULL);
 	else
 		SetScriptState (script, DLevelScript::SCRIPT_PleaseRemove);
diff --git a/src/p_lnspec.cpp b/src/p_lnspec.cpp
index 12c8771166..d94a16fbbd 100644
--- a/src/p_lnspec.cpp
+++ b/src/p_lnspec.cpp
@@ -1644,7 +1644,7 @@ FUNC(LS_ACS_Execute)
 
 	if (arg1 == 0)
 	{
-		mapname = level.mapname;
+		mapname = level.MapName;
 	}
 	else if ((info = FindLevelByNum(arg1)) != NULL)
 	{
@@ -1667,7 +1667,7 @@ FUNC(LS_ACS_ExecuteAlways)
 
 	if (arg1 == 0)
 	{
-		mapname = level.mapname;
+		mapname = level.MapName;
 	}
 	else if ((info = FindLevelByNum(arg1)) != NULL)
 	{
@@ -1707,7 +1707,7 @@ FUNC(LS_ACS_ExecuteWithResult)
 	int args[4] = { arg1, arg2, arg3, arg4 };
 	int flags = (backSide ? ACS_BACKSIDE : 0) | ACS_ALWAYS | ACS_WANTRESULT;
 
-	return P_StartScript (it, ln, arg0, level.mapname, args, 4, flags);
+	return P_StartScript (it, ln, arg0, level.MapName, args, 4, flags);
 }
 
 FUNC(LS_ACS_Suspend)
@@ -1716,7 +1716,7 @@ FUNC(LS_ACS_Suspend)
 	level_info_t *info;
 
 	if (arg1 == 0)
-		P_SuspendScript (arg0, level.mapname);
+		P_SuspendScript (arg0, level.MapName);
 	else if ((info = FindLevelByNum (arg1)) )
 		P_SuspendScript (arg0, info->mapname);
 
@@ -1729,7 +1729,7 @@ FUNC(LS_ACS_Terminate)
 	level_info_t *info;
 
 	if (arg1 == 0)
-		P_TerminateScript (arg0, level.mapname);
+		P_TerminateScript (arg0, level.MapName);
 	else if ((info = FindLevelByNum (arg1)) )
 		P_TerminateScript (arg0, info->mapname);
 
diff --git a/src/p_setup.cpp b/src/p_setup.cpp
index c564d1aa73..4f1329f858 100644
--- a/src/p_setup.cpp
+++ b/src/p_setup.cpp
@@ -3559,7 +3559,7 @@ void P_FreeExtraLevelData()
 //
 
 // [RH] position indicates the start spot to spawn at
-void P_SetupLevel (char *lumpname, int position)
+void P_SetupLevel (const char *lumpname, int position)
 {
 	cycle_t times[20];
 	FMapThing *buildthings;
diff --git a/src/p_setup.h b/src/p_setup.h
index 4a41a76f98..ee26f4c578 100644
--- a/src/p_setup.h
+++ b/src/p_setup.h
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ bool P_CheckMapData(const char * mapname);
 // [RH] The only parameter used is mapname, so I removed playermask and skill.
 //		On September 1, 1998, I added the position to indicate which set
 //		of single-player start spots should be spawned in the level.
-void P_SetupLevel (char *mapname, int position);
+void P_SetupLevel (const char *mapname, int position);
 
 void P_FreeLevelData();
 void P_FreeExtraLevelData();
diff --git a/src/p_spec.h b/src/p_spec.h
index 57d2169729..f8dad701b1 100644
--- a/src/p_spec.h
+++ b/src/p_spec.h
@@ -902,8 +902,8 @@ bool EV_TeleportSector (int tag, int source_tid, int dest_tid, bool fog, int gro
 #define ACS_NET				8
 
 int  P_StartScript (AActor *who, line_t *where, int script, const char *map, const int *args, int argcount, int flags);
-void P_SuspendScript (int script, char *map);
-void P_TerminateScript (int script, char *map);
+void P_SuspendScript (int script, const char *map);
+void P_TerminateScript (int script, const char *map);
 void P_DoDeferedScripts (void);
 
 //
diff --git a/src/st_stuff.cpp b/src/st_stuff.cpp
index 8679e967c0..84982300c7 100644
--- a/src/st_stuff.cpp
+++ b/src/st_stuff.cpp
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ static bool Cht_ChangeStartSpot (cheatseq_t *cheat)
 {
 	char cmd[64];
 
-	mysnprintf (cmd, countof(cmd), "changemap %s %c", level.mapname, cheat->Args[0]);
+	mysnprintf (cmd, countof(cmd), "changemap %s %c", level.MapName.GetChars(), cheat->Args[0]);
 	C_DoCommand (cmd);
 	return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/statistics.cpp b/src/statistics.cpp
index 81cd889835..acd8440e8a 100644
--- a/src/statistics.cpp
+++ b/src/statistics.cpp
@@ -408,12 +408,13 @@ static void StoreLevelStats()
 	{
 		for(i=0;i<LevelData.Size();i++)
 		{
-			if (!stricmp(LevelData[i].levelname, level.mapname)) break;
+			if (!stricmp(LevelData[i].levelname, level.MapName)) break;
 		}
 		if (i==LevelData.Size())
 		{
 			LevelData.Reserve(1);
-			strcpy(LevelData[i].levelname, level.mapname);
+			strncpy(LevelData[i].levelname, level.MapName, 8);
+			LevelData[i].levelname[8] = 0;
 		}
 		LevelData[i].totalkills = level.total_monsters;
 		LevelData[i].killcount = level.killed_monsters;
diff --git a/src/win32/i_main.cpp b/src/win32/i_main.cpp
index 472080423f..8cfa7e23af 100644
--- a/src/win32/i_main.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/i_main.cpp
@@ -1061,11 +1061,7 @@ void DoomSpecificInfo (char *buffer, size_t bufflen)
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		char name[9];
-
-		strncpy (name, level.mapname, 8);
-		name[8] = 0;
-		buffer += mysnprintf (buffer, buffend - buffer, "\r\n\r\nCurrent map: %s", name);
+		buffer += mysnprintf (buffer, buffend - buffer, "\r\n\r\nCurrent map: %s", level.MapName.GetChars());
 
 		if (!viewactive)
 		{
diff --git a/src/zstring.h b/src/zstring.h
index 6dd80b92c4..874417a094 100644
--- a/src/zstring.h
+++ b/src/zstring.h
@@ -252,9 +252,13 @@ public:
 
 	int Compare (const FString &other) const { return strcmp (Chars, other.Chars); }
 	int Compare (const char *other) const { return strcmp (Chars, other); }
+	int Compare(const FString &other, int len) const { return strncmp(Chars, other.Chars, len); }
+	int Compare(const char *other, int len) const { return strncmp(Chars, other, len); }
 
 	int CompareNoCase (const FString &other) const { return stricmp (Chars, other.Chars); }
 	int CompareNoCase (const char *other) const { return stricmp (Chars, other); }
+	int CompareNoCase(const FString &other, int len) const { return strnicmp(Chars, other.Chars, len); }
+	int CompareNoCase(const char *other, int len) const { return strnicmp(Chars, other, len); }
 
 protected:
 	const FStringData *Data() const { return (FStringData *)Chars - 1; }