diff --git a/src/bitcoind.cpp b/src/bitcoind.cpp
--- a/src/bitcoind.cpp
+++ b/src/bitcoind.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
 
     bool fRet = false;
 
-    util::ThreadRename("init");
+    util::ThreadSetInternalName("init");
 
     //
     // Parameters
diff --git a/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp b/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
--- a/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/bitcoin.cpp
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@
     std::tie(argc, argv) = winArgs.get();
 #endif
     SetupEnvironment();
-    util::ThreadRename("main");
+    util::ThreadSetInternalName("main");
 
     std::unique_ptr<interfaces::Node> node = interfaces::MakeNode();
 
diff --git a/src/util/threadnames.h b/src/util/threadnames.h
--- a/src/util/threadnames.h
+++ b/src/util/threadnames.h
@@ -10,8 +10,13 @@
 namespace util {
 //! Rename a thread both in terms of an internal (in-memory) name as well
 //! as its system thread name.
+//! @note Do not call this for the main thread, as this will interfere with
+//! UNIX utilities such as top and killall. Use ThreadSetInternalName instead.
 void ThreadRename(std::string &&);
 
+//! Set the internal (in-memory) name of the current thread only.
+void ThreadSetInternalName(std::string &&);
+
 //! Get the thread's internal (in-memory) name; used e.g. for identification in
 //! logging.
 const std::string &ThreadGetInternalName();
diff --git a/src/util/threadnames.cpp b/src/util/threadnames.cpp
--- a/src/util/threadnames.cpp
+++ b/src/util/threadnames.cpp
@@ -49,3 +49,7 @@
     SetThreadName(("b-" + name).c_str());
     SetInternalName(std::move(name));
 }
+
+void util::ThreadSetInternalName(std::string &&name) {
+    SetInternalName(std::move(name));
+}