diff --git a/named_figure.m b/named_figure.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3c58a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/named_figure.m
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+% small utility to have persistent figures, indicized by name
+function handle = named_figure(figure_name)
+    global smart_figure_map__;
+    if ~isequal(class(smart_figure_map__), 'containers.Map')
+        smart_figure_map__ = containers.Map;
+    end
+    
+    create = true;
+    if smart_figure_map__.isKey(figure_name)
+        handle = smart_figure_map__(figure_name);
+        % handle possibly deleted figures
+        if isvalid(handle)
+            create = false;
+        end
+    end
+    if create
+        handle = figure('Name', figure_name);
+        smart_figure_map__(figure_name) = handle;
+    end
+    figure(handle);
+end