diff --git a/python/core/qgsgeometry.sip b/python/core/qgsgeometry.sip
index ec3f7aa2a02..5545b903b33 100644
--- a/python/core/qgsgeometry.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgsgeometry.sip
@@ -230,8 +230,10 @@ not disjoint with existing polygons of the feature*/
     /** Returns a geometry representing the points shared by this geometry and other. */
     QgsGeometry* intersection(QgsGeometry* geometry) /Factory/;
     
-    /** Returns a geometry representing all the points in this geometry and other. */
-    QgsGeometry* Union(QgsGeometry* geometry) /Factory/;
+    /** Returns a geometry representing all the points in this geometry and other (a 
+     * union geometry operation). 
+     * @note this operation is not called union since its a reserved word in C++.*/
+    QgsGeometry* combine( QgsGeometry* geometry );
     
     /** Returns a geometry representing the points making up this geometry that do not make up other. */
     QgsGeometry* difference(QgsGeometry* geometry) /Factory/;
diff --git a/src/core/qgsgeometry.cpp b/src/core/qgsgeometry.cpp
index 035e9a7015d..8e93aedce7d 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsgeometry.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgsgeometry.cpp
@@ -5347,7 +5347,7 @@ QgsGeometry* QgsGeometry::intersection( QgsGeometry* geometry )
   CATCH_GEOS( 0 )
 }
 
-QgsGeometry* QgsGeometry::Union( QgsGeometry* geometry )
+QgsGeometry* QgsGeometry::combine( QgsGeometry* geometry )
 {
   if ( geometry == NULL )
   {
diff --git a/src/core/qgsgeometry.h b/src/core/qgsgeometry.h
index 5133bdbde50..aaa544d5260 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsgeometry.h
+++ b/src/core/qgsgeometry.h
@@ -276,8 +276,10 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsGeometry
     /** Returns a geometry representing the points shared by this geometry and other. */
     QgsGeometry* intersection( QgsGeometry* geometry );
 
-    /** Returns a geometry representing all the points in this geometry and other. */
-    QgsGeometry* Union( QgsGeometry* geometry );
+    /** Returns a geometry representing all the points in this geometry and other (a 
+     * union geometry operation). 
+     * @note this operation is not called union since its a reserved word in C++.*/
+    QgsGeometry* combine( QgsGeometry* geometry );
 
     /** Returns a geometry representing the points making up this geometry that do not make up other. */
     QgsGeometry* difference( QgsGeometry* geometry );
diff --git a/tests/src/core/testqgsgeometry.cpp b/tests/src/core/testqgsgeometry.cpp
index c436d7c6de9..e50da0873f0 100644
--- a/tests/src/core/testqgsgeometry.cpp
+++ b/tests/src/core/testqgsgeometry.cpp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void TestQgsGeometry::intersectionCheck2()
 void TestQgsGeometry::unionCheck1()
 {
   // should be a multipolygon with 2 parts as A does not intersect C
-  QgsGeometry * mypUnionGeometry  =  mpPolygonGeometryA->Union( mpPolygonGeometryC );
+  QgsGeometry * mypUnionGeometry  =  mpPolygonGeometryA->combine( mpPolygonGeometryC );
   qDebug( "Geometry Type: " + wkbTypeAsString( mypUnionGeometry->wkbType() ).toLocal8Bit() );
   QVERIFY( mypUnionGeometry->wkbType() == QGis::WKBMultiPolygon );
   QgsMultiPolygon myMultiPolygon = mypUnionGeometry->asMultiPolygon();
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void TestQgsGeometry::unionCheck1()
 void TestQgsGeometry::unionCheck2()
 {
   // should be a single polygon as A intersect B
-  QgsGeometry * mypUnionGeometry  =  mpPolygonGeometryA->Union( mpPolygonGeometryB );
+  QgsGeometry * mypUnionGeometry  =  mpPolygonGeometryA->combine( mpPolygonGeometryB );
   qDebug( "Geometry Type: " + wkbTypeAsString( mypUnionGeometry->wkbType() ).toLocal8Bit() );
   QVERIFY( mypUnionGeometry->wkbType() == QGis::WKBPolygon );
   QgsPolygon myPolygon = mypUnionGeometry->asPolygon();