diff --git a/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/AbstractRule.java b/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/AbstractRule.java
index 30d31e3e52..d13830e819 100644
--- a/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/AbstractRule.java
+++ b/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/AbstractRule.java
@@ -161,6 +161,18 @@ public abstract class AbstractRule
         return m_priority;
     }
 
+    /**
+     *********************************************************************************
+     *
+     * Returns the rule's priority name that is used for including the rule in reports and analysis.
+     *
+     * @return A member of PRIORITIES.
+     */
+    public String getPriorityName()
+    {
+        return PRIORITIES[getPriority() - 1];
+    }
+
     /**
      *********************************************************************************
      *
diff --git a/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/Rule.java b/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/Rule.java
index ca185634b6..ebdc12532d 100644
--- a/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/Rule.java
+++ b/pmd/src/net/sourceforge/pmd/Rule.java
@@ -25,5 +25,6 @@ public interface Rule {
     public boolean include();
     public void setInclude(boolean include);
     public int getPriority();
+    public String getPriorityName();
     public void setPriority(int priority);
 }