diff --git a/client/src/data_store.rs b/client/src/data_store.rs
index 15550f9..b405a91 100644
--- a/client/src/data_store.rs
+++ b/client/src/data_store.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use std::{
     io::{Read, Seek, SeekFrom, Write},
     path::Path,
 };
+use wgctrl::InterfaceName;
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct DataStore {
@@ -38,19 +39,21 @@ impl DataStore {
         Ok(Self { file, contents })
     }
 
-    fn _open(interface: &str, create: bool) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+    fn _open(interface: &InterfaceName, create: bool) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         ensure_dirs_exist(&[*CLIENT_DATA_PATH])?;
         Self::open_with_path(
-            CLIENT_DATA_PATH.join(interface).with_extension("json"),
+            CLIENT_DATA_PATH
+                .join(interface.to_string())
+                .with_extension("json"),
             create,
         )
     }
 
-    pub fn open(interface: &str) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+    pub fn open(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         Self::_open(interface, false)
     }
 
-    pub fn open_or_create(interface: &str) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+    pub fn open_or_create(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         Self::_open(interface, true)
     }
 
diff --git a/client/src/main.rs b/client/src/main.rs
index 64994cd..8def1b3 100644
--- a/client/src/main.rs
+++ b/client/src/main.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use std::{
     time::Duration,
 };
 use structopt::StructOpt;
-use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, PeerConfigBuilder, PeerInfo};
+use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, InterfaceName, PeerConfigBuilder, PeerInfo};
 
 mod data_store;
 mod util;
@@ -155,7 +155,11 @@ impl std::error::Error for ClientError {
     }
 }
 
-fn update_hosts_file(interface: &str, hosts_path: PathBuf, peers: &Vec<Peer>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn update_hosts_file(
+    interface: &InterfaceName,
+    hosts_path: PathBuf,
+    peers: &Vec<Peer>,
+) -> Result<(), Error> {
     println!(
         "{} updating {} with the latest peers.",
         "[*]".dimmed(),
@@ -189,6 +193,8 @@ fn install(invite: &Path, hosts_file: Option<PathBuf>) -> Result<(), Error> {
         return Err("An interface with this name already exists in innernet.".into());
     }
 
+    let iface = iface.parse()?;
+
     println!("{} bringing up the interface.", "[*]".dimmed());
     wg::up(
         &iface,
@@ -267,7 +273,7 @@ fn install(invite: &Path, hosts_file: Option<PathBuf>) -> Result<(), Error> {
 
     ",
         star = "[*]".dimmed(),
-        interface = iface.yellow(),
+        interface = iface.to_string().yellow(),
         installed = "installed".green(),
         systemctl_enable = "systemctl enable --now innernet@".yellow(),
     );
@@ -276,7 +282,7 @@ fn install(invite: &Path, hosts_file: Option<PathBuf>) -> Result<(), Error> {
 }
 
 fn up(
-    interface: &str,
+    interface: &InterfaceName,
     loop_interval: Option<Duration>,
     hosts_path: Option<PathBuf>,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
@@ -292,7 +298,7 @@ fn up(
 }
 
 fn fetch(
-    interface: &str,
+    interface: &InterfaceName,
     bring_up_interface: bool,
     hosts_path: Option<PathBuf>,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
@@ -398,7 +404,7 @@ fn fetch(
         println!(
             "\n{} updated interface {}\n",
             "[*]".dimmed(),
-            interface.yellow()
+            interface.as_str_lossy().yellow()
         );
     } else {
         println!("{}", "    peers are already up to date.".green());
@@ -410,7 +416,7 @@ fn fetch(
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn add_cidr(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn add_cidr(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
     println!("Fetching CIDRs");
     let cidrs: Vec<Cidr> = http_get(&server.internal_endpoint, "/admin/cidrs")?;
@@ -435,7 +441,7 @@ fn add_cidr(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn add_peer(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn add_peer(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
     println!("Fetching CIDRs");
     let cidrs: Vec<Cidr> = http_get(&server.internal_endpoint, "/admin/cidrs")?;
@@ -462,7 +468,7 @@ fn add_peer(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn enable_or_disable_peer(interface: &str, enable: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn enable_or_disable_peer(interface: &InterfaceName, enable: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
     println!("Fetching peers.");
     let peers: Vec<Peer> = http_get(&server.internal_endpoint, "/admin/peers")?;
@@ -482,7 +488,7 @@ fn enable_or_disable_peer(interface: &str, enable: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn add_association(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn add_association(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
 
     println!("Fetching CIDRs");
@@ -504,7 +510,7 @@ fn add_association(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn delete_association(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn delete_association(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
 
     println!("Fetching CIDRs");
@@ -525,7 +531,7 @@ fn delete_association(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn list_associations(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn list_associations(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let InterfaceConfig { server, .. } = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
     println!("Fetching CIDRs");
     let cidrs: Vec<Cidr> = http_get(&server.internal_endpoint, "/admin/cidrs")?;
@@ -555,7 +561,7 @@ fn list_associations(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn set_listen_port(interface: &str, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn set_listen_port(interface: &InterfaceName, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let mut config = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
 
     if let Some(listen_port) = prompts::set_listen_port(&config.interface, unset)? {
@@ -572,7 +578,7 @@ fn set_listen_port(interface: &str, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn override_endpoint(interface: &str, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn override_endpoint(interface: &InterfaceName, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let config = InterfaceConfig::from_interface(interface)?;
     if !unset && config.interface.listen_port.is_none() {
         println!(
@@ -597,10 +603,8 @@ fn override_endpoint(interface: &str, unset: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
 }
 
 fn show(short: bool, tree: bool, interface: Option<Interface>) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let interfaces = interface.map_or_else(
-        || DeviceInfo::enumerate(),
-        |interface| Ok(vec![interface.to_string()]),
-    )?;
+    let interfaces =
+        interface.map_or_else(|| DeviceInfo::enumerate(), |interface| Ok(vec![*interface]))?;
 
     let devices = interfaces.into_iter().filter_map(|name| {
         DataStore::open(&name)
@@ -678,7 +682,7 @@ fn print_interface(device_info: &DeviceInfo, me: &Peer, short: bool) -> Result<(
         .to_base64();
 
     if short {
-        println!("{}", device_info.name.green().bold());
+        println!("{}", device_info.name.to_string().green().bold());
         println!(
             "  {} {}: {} ({}...)",
             "(you)".bold(),
@@ -690,7 +694,7 @@ fn print_interface(device_info: &DeviceInfo, me: &Peer, short: bool) -> Result<(
         println!(
             "{}: {} ({}...)",
             "interface".green().bold(),
-            device_info.name.green(),
+            device_info.name.to_string().green(),
             public_key[..10].yellow()
         );
         if !short {
diff --git a/server/src/endpoints.rs b/server/src/endpoints.rs
index c19c178..e3d8083 100644
--- a/server/src/endpoints.rs
+++ b/server/src/endpoints.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crossbeam::channel::{self, select};
 use dashmap::DashMap;
-use wgctrl::DeviceInfo;
+use wgctrl::{DeviceInfo, InterfaceName};
 
 use std::{io, net::SocketAddr, sync::Arc, thread, time::Duration};
 
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ impl std::ops::Deref for Endpoints {
 }
 
 impl Endpoints {
-    pub fn new(iface: &str) -> Result<Self, io::Error> {
+    pub fn new(iface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, io::Error> {
         let endpoints = Arc::new(DashMap::new());
         let (stop_tx, stop_rx) = channel::bounded(1);
 
diff --git a/server/src/initialize.rs b/server/src/initialize.rs
index afaf98f..883d306 100644
--- a/server/src/initialize.rs
+++ b/server/src/initialize.rs
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ pub fn init_wizard(conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
         (name, root_cidr)
     });
 
+    // This probably won't error because of the `hostname_validator` regex.
+    let name = name.parse()?;
+
     let endpoint: SocketAddr = conf.endpoint.unwrap_or_else(|| {
         prompts::ask_endpoint()
             .map_err(|_| println!("failed to get endpoint."))
@@ -131,7 +134,7 @@ pub fn init_wizard(conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
     config.write_to_path(&config_path)?;
 
     let db_init_data = DbInitData {
-        root_cidr_name: name.clone(),
+        root_cidr_name: name.to_string(),
         root_cidr,
         server_cidr,
         our_ip,
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ pub fn init_wizard(conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
 
     ",
         star = "[*]".dimmed(),
-        interface = name.yellow(),
+        interface = name.to_string().yellow(),
         created = "created".green(),
         wg_manage_server = "innernet-server".yellow(),
         add_cidr = "add-cidr".yellow(),
diff --git a/server/src/main.rs b/server/src/main.rs
index af432b3..55b6639 100644
--- a/server/src/main.rs
+++ b/server/src/main.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use std::{
 };
 use structopt::StructOpt;
 use warp::Filter;
-use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, PeerConfigBuilder};
+use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, InterfaceName, PeerConfigBuilder};
 
 pub mod api;
 pub mod db;
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ pub type Db = Arc<Mutex<Connection>>;
 pub struct Context {
     pub db: Db,
     pub endpoints: Arc<Endpoints>,
-    pub interface: String,
+    pub interface: InterfaceName,
 }
 
 pub struct Session {
@@ -140,10 +140,10 @@ impl ServerConfig {
             .unwrap_or(*SERVER_DATABASE_DIR)
     }
 
-    fn database_path(&self, interface: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    fn database_path(&self, interface: &InterfaceName) -> PathBuf {
         PathBuf::new()
             .join(self.database_dir())
-            .join(interface)
+            .join(interface.to_string())
             .with_extension("db")
     }
 
@@ -153,10 +153,10 @@ impl ServerConfig {
             .unwrap_or(*SERVER_CONFIG_DIR)
     }
 
-    fn config_path(&self, interface: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    fn config_path(&self, interface: &InterfaceName) -> PathBuf {
         PathBuf::new()
             .join(self.config_dir())
-            .join(interface)
+            .join(interface.to_string())
             .with_extension("conf")
     }
 }
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
 }
 
 fn open_database_connection(
-    interface: &str,
+    interface: &InterfaceName,
     conf: &ServerConfig,
 ) -> Result<rusqlite::Connection, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let database_path = conf.database_path(&interface);
@@ -207,8 +207,8 @@ fn open_database_connection(
     Ok(Connection::open(&database_path)?)
 }
 
-fn add_peer(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let config = ConfigFile::from_file(conf.config_path(&interface))?;
+fn add_peer(interface: &InterfaceName, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    let config = ConfigFile::from_file(conf.config_path(interface))?;
     let conn = open_database_connection(interface, conf)?;
     let peers = DatabasePeer::list(&conn)?
         .into_iter()
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ fn add_peer(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn add_cidr(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
+fn add_cidr(interface: &InterfaceName, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let conn = open_database_connection(interface, conf)?;
     let cidrs = DatabaseCidr::list(&conn)?;
     if let Some(cidr_request) = shared::prompts::add_cidr(&cidrs)? {
@@ -268,9 +268,9 @@ fn add_cidr(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-async fn serve(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let config = ConfigFile::from_file(conf.config_path(&interface))?;
-    let conn = open_database_connection(&interface, conf)?;
+async fn serve(interface: &InterfaceName, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    let config = ConfigFile::from_file(conf.config_path(interface))?;
+    let conn = open_database_connection(interface, conf)?;
     // Foreign key constraints aren't on in SQLite by default. Enable.
     conn.pragma_update(None, "foreign_keys", &1)?;
 
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ async fn serve(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
 
     log::info!("bringing up interface.");
     wg::up(
-        &interface,
+        interface,
         &config.private_key,
         IpNetwork::new(config.address, config.network_cidr_prefix)?,
         Some(config.listen_port),
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ async fn serve(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let db = Arc::new(Mutex::new(conn));
     let context = Context {
         db,
-        interface: interface.to_string(),
+        interface: *interface,
         endpoints,
     };
 
@@ -334,11 +334,11 @@ async fn serve(interface: &str, conf: &ServerConfig) -> Result<(), Error> {
 ///
 /// See https://github.com/tonarino/innernet/issues/26 for more details.
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-fn get_listener(addr: SocketAddr, interface: &str) -> Result<TcpListener, Error> {
+fn get_listener(addr: SocketAddr, interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<TcpListener, Error> {
     let listener = TcpListener::bind(&addr)?;
     listener.set_nonblocking(true)?;
     let sock = socket2::Socket::from(listener);
-    sock.bind_device(Some(interface.as_bytes()))?;
+    sock.bind_device(Some(interface.as_str_lossy().as_bytes()))?;
     Ok(sock.into())
 }
 
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ fn get_listener(addr: SocketAddr, interface: &str) -> Result<TcpListener, Error>
 ///
 /// See https://github.com/tonarino/innernet/issues/26 for more details.
 #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-fn get_listener(addr: SocketAddr, _interface: &str) -> Result<TcpListener, Error> {
+fn get_listener(addr: SocketAddr, _interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<TcpListener, Error> {
     let listener = TcpListener::bind(&addr)?;
     listener.set_nonblocking(true)?;
     Ok(listener)
diff --git a/server/src/test.rs b/server/src/test.rs
index 4a8c9b1..d389320 100644
--- a/server/src/test.rs
+++ b/server/src/test.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use shared::{Cidr, CidrContents, PeerContents};
 use std::{net::SocketAddr, path::PathBuf, sync::Arc};
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 use warp::test::RequestBuilder;
-use wgctrl::KeyPair;
+use wgctrl::{InterfaceName, KeyPair};
 
 pub const ROOT_CIDR: &str = "10.80.0.0/15";
 pub const SERVER_CIDR: &str = "10.80.0.1/32";
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ pub const USER2_PEER_ID: i64 = 6;
 pub struct Server {
     pub db: Arc<Mutex<Connection>>,
     endpoints: Arc<Endpoints>,
-    interface: String,
+    interface: InterfaceName,
     conf: ServerConfig,
     // The directory will be removed during destruction.
     _test_dir: TempDir,
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ impl Server {
         };
         init_wizard(&conf).map_err(|_| anyhow!("init_wizard failed"))?;
 
+        let interface = interface.parse().unwrap();
         // Add developer CIDR and user CIDR and some peers for testing.
         let db = Connection::open(&conf.database_path(&interface))?;
         db.pragma_update(None, "foreign_keys", &1)?;
diff --git a/shared/src/interface_config.rs b/shared/src/interface_config.rs
index cecaee3..053691c 100644
--- a/shared/src/interface_config.rs
+++ b/shared/src/interface_config.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use std::{
     os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt,
     path::{Path, PathBuf},
 };
+use wgctrl::InterfaceName;
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Serialize, Debug)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "kebab-case")]
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ impl InterfaceConfig {
     }
 
     /// Overwrites the config file if it already exists.
-    pub fn write_to_interface(&self, interface: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, Error> {
+    pub fn write_to_interface(&self, interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<PathBuf, Error> {
         let path = Self::build_config_file_path(interface)?;
         File::create(&path)
             .with_path(&path)?
@@ -104,13 +105,15 @@ impl InterfaceConfig {
         Ok(toml::from_slice(&std::fs::read(&path).with_path(path)?)?)
     }
 
-    pub fn from_interface(interface: &str) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+    pub fn from_interface(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         Self::from_file(Self::build_config_file_path(interface)?)
     }
 
-    fn build_config_file_path(interface: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, Error> {
+    fn build_config_file_path(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<PathBuf, Error> {
         ensure_dirs_exist(&[*CLIENT_CONFIG_PATH])?;
-        Ok(CLIENT_CONFIG_PATH.join(interface).with_extension("conf"))
+        Ok(CLIENT_CONFIG_PATH
+            .join(interface.to_string())
+            .with_extension("conf"))
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/shared/src/lib.rs b/shared/src/lib.rs
index e413b10..0b0e723 100644
--- a/shared/src/lib.rs
+++ b/shared/src/lib.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use std::{
     str::FromStr,
     time::Duration,
 };
-use wgctrl::{Key, PeerConfig, PeerConfigBuilder};
+use wgctrl::{InterfaceName, InvalidInterfaceName, Key, PeerConfig, PeerConfigBuilder};
 
 pub mod interface_config;
 pub mod prompts;
@@ -65,23 +65,24 @@ impl std::error::Error for WrappedIoError {}
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct Interface {
-    name: String,
+    name: InterfaceName,
 }
 
 impl FromStr for Interface {
-    type Err = &'static str;
+    type Err = String;
 
     fn from_str(name: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        let s = name.to_string();
-        hostname_validator(&s)?;
-        Ok(Self {
-            name: name.to_string(),
-        })
+        let name = name.to_string();
+        hostname_validator(&name)?;
+        let name = name
+            .parse()
+            .map_err(|e: InvalidInterfaceName| e.to_string())?;
+        Ok(Self { name })
     }
 }
 
 impl Deref for Interface {
-    type Target = str;
+    type Target = InterfaceName;
 
     fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
         &self.name
diff --git a/shared/src/prompts.rs b/shared/src/prompts.rs
index f1c316b..5506793 100644
--- a/shared/src/prompts.rs
+++ b/shared/src/prompts.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use ipnetwork::IpNetwork;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use regex::Regex;
 use std::net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr};
-use wgctrl::KeyPair;
+use wgctrl::{InterfaceName, KeyPair};
 
 lazy_static! {
     static ref THEME: ColorfulTheme = ColorfulTheme::default();
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ pub fn enable_or_disable_peer(peers: &[Peer], enable: bool) -> Result<Option<Pee
 
 /// Confirm and write a innernet invitation file after a peer has been created.
 pub fn save_peer_invitation(
-    network_name: &str,
+    network_name: &InterfaceName,
     peer: &Peer,
     server_peer: &Peer,
     root_cidr: &Cidr,
diff --git a/shared/src/wg.rs b/shared/src/wg.rs
index 7537bca..a5de88f 100644
--- a/shared/src/wg.rs
+++ b/shared/src/wg.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use std::{
     net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr},
     process::{self, Command},
 };
-use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, PeerConfigBuilder};
+use wgctrl::{DeviceConfigBuilder, InterfaceName, PeerConfigBuilder};
 
 fn cmd(bin: &str, args: &[&str]) -> Result<process::Output, Error> {
     let output = Command::new(bin).args(args).output()?;
@@ -22,8 +22,9 @@ fn cmd(bin: &str, args: &[&str]) -> Result<process::Output, Error> {
 }
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
-pub fn set_addr(interface: &str, addr: IpNetwork) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let real_interface = wgctrl::backends::userspace::resolve_tun(interface).with_str(interface)?;
+pub fn set_addr(interface: &InterfaceName, addr: IpNetwork) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    let real_interface =
+        wgctrl::backends::userspace::resolve_tun(interface).with_str(interface.to_string())?;
 
     if addr.is_ipv4() {
         cmd(
@@ -47,20 +48,21 @@ pub fn set_addr(interface: &str, addr: IpNetwork) -> Result<(), Error> {
 }
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-pub fn set_addr(interface: &str, addr: IpNetwork) -> Result<(), Error> {
+pub fn set_addr(interface: &InterfaceName, addr: IpNetwork) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    let interface = interface.to_string();
     cmd(
         "ip",
-        &["address", "replace", &addr.to_string(), "dev", interface],
+        &["address", "replace", &addr.to_string(), "dev", &interface],
     )?;
     let _ = cmd(
         "ip",
-        &["link", "set", "mtu", "1420", "up", "dev", interface],
+        &["link", "set", "mtu", "1420", "up", "dev", &interface],
     );
     Ok(())
 }
 
 pub fn up(
-    interface: &str,
+    interface: &InterfaceName,
     private_key: &str,
     address: IpNetwork,
     listen_port: Option<u16>,
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ pub fn up(
     Ok(())
 }
 
-pub fn set_listen_port(interface: &str, listen_port: Option<u16>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+pub fn set_listen_port(interface: &InterfaceName, listen_port: Option<u16>) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let mut device = DeviceConfigBuilder::new();
     if let Some(listen_port) = listen_port {
         device = device.set_listen_port(listen_port);
@@ -98,24 +100,24 @@ pub fn set_listen_port(interface: &str, listen_port: Option<u16>) -> Result<(),
 }
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-pub fn down(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    Ok(wgctrl::delete_interface(interface).with_str(interface)?)
+pub fn down(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    Ok(wgctrl::delete_interface(&interface).with_str(interface.to_string())?)
 }
 
 #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-pub fn down(interface: &str) -> Result<(), Error> {
+pub fn down(interface: &InterfaceName) -> Result<(), Error> {
     wgctrl::backends::userspace::delete_interface(interface)
-        .with_str(interface)
+        .with_str(interface.to_string())
         .map_err(Error::from)
 }
 
 /// Add a route in the OS's routing table to get traffic flowing through this interface.
 /// Returns an error if the process doesn't exit successfully, otherwise returns
 /// true if the route was changed, false if the route already exists.
-pub fn add_route(interface: &str, cidr: IpNetwork) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+pub fn add_route(interface: &InterfaceName, cidr: IpNetwork) -> Result<bool, Error> {
     if cfg!(target_os = "macos") {
         let real_interface =
-            wgctrl::backends::userspace::resolve_tun(interface).with_str(interface)?;
+            wgctrl::backends::userspace::resolve_tun(interface).with_str(interface.to_string())?;
         let output = cmd(
             "route",
             &[
@@ -141,7 +143,13 @@ pub fn add_route(interface: &str, cidr: IpNetwork) -> Result<bool, Error> {
         // TODO(mcginty): use the netlink interface on linux to modify routing table.
         let _ = cmd(
             "ip",
-            &["route", "add", &cidr.to_string(), "dev", &interface],
+            &[
+                "route",
+                "add",
+                &cidr.to_string(),
+                "dev",
+                &interface.to_string(),
+            ],
         );
         Ok(false)
     }
diff --git a/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/kernel.rs b/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/kernel.rs
index 38a1d35..c87acbb 100644
--- a/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/kernel.rs
+++ b/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/kernel.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
-    device::AllowedIp, DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, InvalidKey, PeerConfig, PeerConfigBuilder,
-    PeerInfo, PeerStats,
+    device::AllowedIp, DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, InterfaceName, InvalidInterfaceName,
+    InvalidKey, PeerConfig, PeerConfigBuilder, PeerInfo, PeerStats,
 };
 use wgctrl_sys::{timespec64, wg_device_flags as wgdf, wg_peer_flags as wgpf};
 
@@ -71,8 +71,10 @@ impl<'a> From<&'a wgctrl_sys::wg_peer> for PeerInfo {
 
 impl<'a> From<&'a wgctrl_sys::wg_device> for DeviceInfo {
     fn from(raw: &wgctrl_sys::wg_device) -> DeviceInfo {
+        // SAFETY: The name string buffer came directly from wgctrl so its NUL terminated.
+        let name = unsafe { InterfaceName::from_wg(raw.name) };
         DeviceInfo {
-            name: parse_device_name(raw.name),
+            name,
             public_key: if (raw.flags & wgdf::WGDEVICE_HAS_PUBLIC_KEY).0 > 0 {
                 Some(Key::from_raw(raw.public_key))
             } else {
@@ -98,15 +100,6 @@ impl<'a> From<&'a wgctrl_sys::wg_device> for DeviceInfo {
     }
 }
 
-fn parse_device_name(name: [c_char; 16]) -> String {
-    let name: &[u8; 16] = unsafe { &*((&name) as *const _ as *const [u8; 16]) };
-    let idx: usize = name
-        .iter()
-        .position(|x| *x == 0)
-        .expect("Interface name too long?");
-    unsafe { str::from_utf8_unchecked(&name[..idx]) }.to_owned()
-}
-
 fn parse_peers(dev: &wgctrl_sys::wg_device) -> Vec<PeerInfo> {
     let mut result = Vec::new();
 
@@ -297,15 +290,6 @@ fn encode_peers(
     (first_peer, last_peer)
 }
 
-fn encode_name(name: &str) -> [c_char; 16] {
-    let slice = unsafe { &*(name.as_bytes() as *const _ as *const [c_char]) };
-
-    let mut result = [c_char::default(); 16];
-    result[..slice.len()].copy_from_slice(slice);
-
-    result
-}
-
 pub fn exists() -> bool {
     // Try to load the wireguard module if it isn't already.
     // This is only called once per lifetime of the process.
@@ -320,7 +304,7 @@ pub fn exists() -> bool {
     Path::new("/sys/module/wireguard").is_dir()
 }
 
-pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, io::Error> {
+pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<InterfaceName>, io::Error> {
     let base = unsafe { wgctrl_sys::wg_list_device_names() };
 
     if base.is_null() {
@@ -340,7 +324,12 @@ pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, io::Error> {
         }
 
         current = unsafe { current.add(len + 1) };
-        result.push(unsafe { str::from_utf8_unchecked(next_dev) }.to_owned());
+
+        let interface: InterfaceName = str::from_utf8(next_dev)
+            .map_err(|_| InvalidInterfaceName::InvalidChars)?
+            .parse()?;
+
+        result.push(interface);
     }
 
     unsafe { libc::free(base as *mut libc::c_void) };
@@ -348,18 +337,17 @@ pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, io::Error> {
     Ok(result)
 }
 
-pub fn apply(builder: DeviceConfigBuilder, iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+pub fn apply(builder: DeviceConfigBuilder, iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
     let (first_peer, last_peer) = encode_peers(builder.peers);
 
-    let iface_str = CString::new(iface)?;
-    let result = unsafe { wgctrl_sys::wg_add_device(iface_str.as_ptr()) };
+    let result = unsafe { wgctrl_sys::wg_add_device(iface.as_ptr()) };
     match result {
         0 | -17 => {},
         _ => return Err(io::Error::last_os_error()),
     };
 
     let mut wg_device = Box::new(wgctrl_sys::wg_device {
-        name: encode_name(iface),
+        name: iface.into_inner(),
         ifindex: 0,
         public_key: wgctrl_sys::wg_key::default(),
         private_key: wgctrl_sys::wg_key::default(),
@@ -406,15 +394,13 @@ pub fn apply(builder: DeviceConfigBuilder, iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn get_by_name(name: &str) -> Result<DeviceInfo, io::Error> {
+pub fn get_by_name(name: &InterfaceName) -> Result<DeviceInfo, io::Error> {
     let mut device: *mut wgctrl_sys::wg_device = ptr::null_mut();
 
-    let cs = CString::new(name)?;
-
     let result = unsafe {
         wgctrl_sys::wg_get_device(
             (&mut device) as *mut _ as *mut *mut wgctrl_sys::wg_device,
-            cs.as_ptr(),
+            name.as_ptr(),
         )
     };
 
@@ -429,9 +415,8 @@ pub fn get_by_name(name: &str) -> Result<DeviceInfo, io::Error> {
     result
 }
 
-pub fn delete_interface(iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
-    let iface_str = CString::new(iface)?;
-    let result = unsafe { wgctrl_sys::wg_del_device(iface_str.as_ptr()) };
+pub fn delete_interface(iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let result = unsafe { wgctrl_sys::wg_del_device(iface.as_ptr()) };
 
     if result == 0 {
         Ok(())
diff --git a/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/userspace.rs b/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/userspace.rs
index 7042a29..107696b 100644
--- a/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/userspace.rs
+++ b/wgctrl-rs/src/backends/userspace.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-use crate::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, PeerConfig, PeerInfo, PeerStats};
+use crate::{DeviceConfigBuilder, DeviceInfo, InterfaceName, PeerConfig, PeerInfo, PeerStats};
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 use crate::Key;
 
 use std::{
-    fs, io,
-    io::{prelude::*, BufReader},
+    fs,
+    io::{self, prelude::*, BufReader},
     os::unix::net::UnixStream,
     path::{Path, PathBuf},
     process::Command,
@@ -28,31 +28,31 @@ fn get_base_folder() -> io::Result<PathBuf> {
     }
 }
 
-fn get_namefile(name: &str) -> io::Result<PathBuf> {
-    Ok(get_base_folder()?.join(&format!("{}.name", name)))
+fn get_namefile(name: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<PathBuf> {
+    Ok(get_base_folder()?.join(&format!("{}.name", name.as_str_lossy())))
 }
 
-fn get_socketfile(name: &str) -> io::Result<PathBuf> {
+fn get_socketfile(name: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<PathBuf> {
     Ok(get_base_folder()?.join(&format!("{}.sock", resolve_tun(name)?)))
 }
 
-fn open_socket(name: &str) -> io::Result<UnixStream> {
+fn open_socket(name: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<UnixStream> {
     UnixStream::connect(get_socketfile(name)?)
 }
 
-pub fn resolve_tun(name: &str) -> io::Result<String> {
+pub fn resolve_tun(name: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<String> {
     let namefile = get_namefile(name)?;
     Ok(fs::read_to_string(namefile)?.trim().to_string())
 }
 
-pub fn delete_interface(name: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+pub fn delete_interface(name: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
     fs::remove_file(get_socketfile(name)?).ok();
     fs::remove_file(get_namefile(name)?).ok();
 
     Ok(())
 }
 
-pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, io::Error> {
+pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<InterfaceName>, io::Error> {
     use std::ffi::OsStr;
 
     let mut interfaces = vec![];
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, io::Error> {
         if path.extension() == Some(OsStr::new("name")) {
             let stem = path.file_stem().map(|stem| stem.to_str()).flatten();
             if let Some(name) = stem {
-                interfaces.push(name.to_string());
+                interfaces.push(name.parse()?);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -100,9 +100,10 @@ impl From<ConfigParser> for DeviceInfo {
 }
 
 impl ConfigParser {
-    fn new(name: &str) -> Self {
+    /// Returns `None` if an invalid device name was provided.
+    fn new(name: &InterfaceName) -> Self {
         let device_info = DeviceInfo {
-            name: name.to_string(),
+            name: *name,
             public_key: None,
             private_key: None,
             fwmark: None,
@@ -228,13 +229,14 @@ impl ConfigParser {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn get_by_name(name: &str) -> Result<DeviceInfo, io::Error> {
+pub fn get_by_name(name: &InterfaceName) -> Result<DeviceInfo, io::Error> {
     let mut sock = open_socket(name)?;
     sock.write_all(b"get=1\n\n")?;
     let mut reader = BufReader::new(sock);
     let mut buf = String::new();
 
     let mut parser = ConfigParser::new(name);
+
     loop {
         match reader.read_line(&mut buf)? {
             0 | 1 if buf == "\n" => break,
@@ -261,7 +263,7 @@ fn get_userspace_implementation() -> String {
         .unwrap_or_else(|_| "wireguard-go".to_string())
 }
 
-pub fn apply(builder: DeviceConfigBuilder, iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+pub fn apply(builder: DeviceConfigBuilder, iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
     // If we can't open a configuration socket to an existing interface, try starting it.
     let mut sock = match open_socket(iface) {
         Err(_) => {
diff --git a/wgctrl-rs/src/config.rs b/wgctrl-rs/src/config.rs
index cb37b79..c3e231d 100644
--- a/wgctrl-rs/src/config.rs
+++ b/wgctrl-rs/src/config.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use crate::{
     backends,
-    device::{AllowedIp, PeerConfig},
+    device::{AllowedIp, InterfaceName, PeerConfig},
     key::{Key, KeyPair},
 };
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use std::{
 ///         peer.set_endpoint(server_addr)
 ///             .replace_allowed_ips()
 ///             .allow_all_ips()
-///     }).apply("wg-example");
+///     }).apply(&"wg-example".parse().unwrap());
 ///
 /// println!("Send these keys to your peer: {:#?}", peer_keypair);
 ///
@@ -171,16 +171,16 @@ impl DeviceConfigBuilder {
     ///
     /// An interface with the provided name will be created if one does not exist already.
     #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-    pub fn apply(self, iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+    pub fn apply(self, iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
         if backends::kernel::exists() {
-            backends::kernel::apply(self, iface)
+            backends::kernel::apply(self, &iface)
         } else {
             backends::userspace::apply(self, iface)
         }
     }
 
     #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-    pub fn apply(self, iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+    pub fn apply(self, iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
         backends::userspace::apply(self, iface)
     }
 }
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ impl Default for DeviceConfigBuilder {
 ///     .add_allowed_ip("192.168.1.2".parse()?, 32);
 ///
 /// // update our existing configuration with the new peer
-/// DeviceConfigBuilder::new().add_peer(peer).apply("wg-example");
+/// DeviceConfigBuilder::new().add_peer(peer).apply(&"wg-example".parse().unwrap());
 ///
 /// println!("Send these keys to your peer: {:#?}", peer_keypair);
 ///
@@ -353,6 +353,6 @@ impl PeerConfigBuilder {
 
 /// Deletes an existing WireGuard interface by name.
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-pub fn delete_interface(iface: &str) -> io::Result<()> {
+pub fn delete_interface(iface: &InterfaceName) -> io::Result<()> {
     backends::kernel::delete_interface(iface)
 }
diff --git a/wgctrl-rs/src/device.rs b/wgctrl-rs/src/device.rs
index 1dd1479..81cb83b 100644
--- a/wgctrl-rs/src/device.rs
+++ b/wgctrl-rs/src/device.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
+use libc::c_char;
+
 use crate::{backends, key::Key};
 
 use std::{
+    borrow::Cow,
+    ffi::CStr,
+    fmt,
     net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr},
+    str::FromStr,
     time::SystemTime,
 };
 
@@ -86,7 +92,7 @@ pub struct PeerInfo {
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
 pub struct DeviceInfo {
     /// The interface name of this device
-    pub name: String,
+    pub name: InterfaceName,
     /// The public encryption key of this interface (if present)
     pub public_key: Option<Key>,
     /// The private encryption key of this interface (if present)
@@ -103,6 +109,132 @@ pub struct DeviceInfo {
     pub(crate) __cant_construct_me: (),
 }
 
+type RawInterfaceName = [c_char; libc::IFNAMSIZ];
+
+/// The name of a Wireguard interface device.
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct InterfaceName(RawInterfaceName);
+
+impl FromStr for InterfaceName {
+    type Err = InvalidInterfaceName;
+
+    /// Attempts to parse a Rust string as a valid Linux interface name.
+    ///
+    /// Extra validation logic ported from [iproute2](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/iproute2/iproute2.git/tree/lib/utils.c#n827)
+    fn from_str(name: &str) -> Result<Self, InvalidInterfaceName> {
+        let len = name.len();
+        // Ensure its short enough to include a trailing NUL
+        if len > (libc::IFNAMSIZ - 1) {
+            return Err(InvalidInterfaceName::TooLong(len));
+        }
+
+        if len == 0 || name.trim_start_matches('\0').is_empty() {
+            return Err(InvalidInterfaceName::Empty);
+        }
+
+        let mut buf = [c_char::default(); libc::IFNAMSIZ];
+        // Check for interior NULs and other invalid characters.
+        for (out, b) in buf.iter_mut().zip(name.as_bytes()[..(len - 1)].iter()) {
+            if *b == 0 {
+                return Err(InvalidInterfaceName::InteriorNul);
+            }
+
+            if *b == b'/' || b.is_ascii_whitespace() {
+                return Err(InvalidInterfaceName::InvalidChars);
+            }
+
+            *out = *b as i8;
+        }
+
+        Ok(Self(buf))
+    }
+}
+
+impl InterfaceName {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    /// Creates a new [InterfaceName](Self).
+    ///
+    /// ## Safety
+    ///
+    /// The caller must ensure that `name` is a valid C string terminated by a NUL.
+    pub(crate) unsafe fn from_wg(name: RawInterfaceName) -> Self {
+        Self(name)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns a human-readable form of the device name.
+    ///
+    /// Only use this when the interface name was constructed from a Rust string.
+    pub fn as_str_lossy(&self) -> Cow<'_, str> {
+        // SAFETY: These are C strings coming from wgctrl, so they are correctly NUL terminated.
+        unsafe { CStr::from_ptr(self.0.as_ptr()) }.to_string_lossy()
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    /// Returns a pointer to the inner byte buffer for FFI calls.
+    pub(crate) fn as_ptr(&self) -> *const c_char {
+        self.0.as_ptr()
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    /// Consumes this interface name, returning its raw byte buffer.
+    pub(crate) fn into_inner(self) -> RawInterfaceName {
+        self.0
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Debug for InterfaceName {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.write_str(&self.as_str_lossy())
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for InterfaceName {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.write_str(&self.as_str_lossy())
+    }
+}
+
+/// An interface name was bad.
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum InvalidInterfaceName {
+    /// Provided name had an interior NUL byte.
+    InteriorNul,
+    /// Provided name was longer then the interface name length limit
+    /// of the system.
+    TooLong(usize),
+
+    // These checks are done in the kernel as well, but no reason to let bad names
+    // get that far: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/network/iproute2/iproute2.git/tree/lib/utils.c?id=1f420318bda3cc62156e89e1b56d60cc744b48ad#n827.
+    /// Interface name was an empty string.
+    Empty,
+    /// Interface name contained a `/` or space character.
+    InvalidChars,
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for InvalidInterfaceName {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            Self::InteriorNul => f.write_str("interface name contained an interior NUL byte"),
+            Self::TooLong(size) => write!(
+                f,
+                "interface name was {} bytes long but the system's max is {}",
+                size,
+                libc::IFNAMSIZ
+            ),
+            Self::Empty => f.write_str("an empty interface name was provided"),
+            Self::InvalidChars => f.write_str("interface name contained slash or space characters"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<InvalidInterfaceName> for std::io::Error {
+    fn from(e: InvalidInterfaceName) -> Self {
+        std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidData, e.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
+impl std::error::Error for InvalidInterfaceName {}
+
 impl DeviceInfo {
     /// Enumerates all WireGuard interfaces currently present in the system
     /// and returns their names.
@@ -110,7 +242,7 @@ impl DeviceInfo {
     /// You can use [`get_by_name`](DeviceInfo::get_by_name) to retrieve more
     /// detailed information on each interface.
     #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-    pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<InterfaceName>, std::io::Error> {
         if backends::kernel::exists() {
             backends::kernel::enumerate()
         } else {
@@ -119,12 +251,12 @@ impl DeviceInfo {
     }
 
     #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-    pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<String>, std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn enumerate() -> Result<Vec<InterfaceName>, std::io::Error> {
         crate::backends::userspace::enumerate()
     }
 
     #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-    pub fn get_by_name(name: &str) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn get_by_name(name: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
         if backends::kernel::exists() {
             backends::kernel::get_by_name(name)
         } else {
@@ -133,7 +265,7 @@ impl DeviceInfo {
     }
 
     #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-    pub fn get_by_name(name: &str) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn get_by_name(name: &InterfaceName) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
         backends::userspace::get_by_name(name)
     }
 
@@ -150,7 +282,9 @@ impl DeviceInfo {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use crate::{DeviceConfigBuilder, KeyPair, PeerConfigBuilder};
+    use crate::{
+        DeviceConfigBuilder, InterfaceName, InvalidInterfaceName, KeyPair, PeerConfigBuilder,
+    };
 
     const TEST_INTERFACE: &str = "wgctrl-test";
     use super::*;
@@ -166,9 +300,10 @@ mod tests {
         for keypair in &keypairs {
             builder = builder.add_peer(PeerConfigBuilder::new(&keypair.public))
         }
-        builder.apply(TEST_INTERFACE).unwrap();
+        let interface = TEST_INTERFACE.parse().unwrap();
+        builder.apply(&interface).unwrap();
 
-        let device = DeviceInfo::get_by_name(TEST_INTERFACE).unwrap();
+        let device = DeviceInfo::get_by_name(&interface).unwrap();
 
         for keypair in &keypairs {
             assert!(device
@@ -179,4 +314,24 @@ mod tests {
 
         device.delete().unwrap();
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_interface_names() {
+        assert!("wg-01".parse::<InterfaceName>().is_ok());
+        assert!("longer-nul\0".parse::<InterfaceName>().is_ok());
+
+        let invalid_names = &[
+            ("", InvalidInterfaceName::Empty),   // Empty Rust string
+            ("\0", InvalidInterfaceName::Empty), // Empty C string
+            ("ifname\0nul", InvalidInterfaceName::InteriorNul), // Contains interior NUL
+            ("if name", InvalidInterfaceName::InvalidChars), // Contains a space
+            ("ifna/me", InvalidInterfaceName::InvalidChars), // Contains a slash
+            ("if na/me", InvalidInterfaceName::InvalidChars), // Contains a space and slash
+            ("interfacelongname", InvalidInterfaceName::TooLong(17)), // Too long
+        ];
+
+        for (name, expected) in invalid_names {
+            assert!(name.parse::<InterfaceName>().as_ref() == Err(expected))
+        }
+    }
 }