diff --git a/labelme/app.py b/labelme/app.py
index 84c37ec4a..76780542c 100644
--- a/labelme/app.py
+++ b/labelme/app.py
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ def __init__(
         Shape.vertex_fill_color = QtGui.QColor(
             *self._config["shape"]["vertex_fill_color"]
         )
+        Shape.show_labels = self._config["shape"]["show_labels"]
         Shape.hvertex_fill_color = QtGui.QColor(
             *self._config["shape"]["hvertex_fill_color"]
         )
diff --git a/labelme/config/default_config.yaml b/labelme/config/default_config.yaml
index 260066f65..18b3509e7 100644
--- a/labelme/config/default_config.yaml
+++ b/labelme/config/default_config.yaml
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ shape:
   line_color: [0, 255, 0, 128]
   fill_color: [0, 255, 0, 0]  # transparent
   vertex_fill_color: [0, 255, 0, 255]
+  show_labels: false
   # selecting / hovering
   select_line_color: [255, 255, 255, 255]
   select_fill_color: [0, 255, 0, 155]
diff --git a/labelme/shape.py b/labelme/shape.py
index 86e7f2598..425954ce9 100644
--- a/labelme/shape.py
+++ b/labelme/shape.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 DEFAULT_SELECT_FILL_COLOR = QtGui.QColor(0, 255, 0, 155)  # selected
 DEFAULT_VERTEX_FILL_COLOR = QtGui.QColor(0, 255, 0, 255)  # hovering
 DEFAULT_HVERTEX_FILL_COLOR = QtGui.QColor(255, 255, 255, 255)  # hovering
+DEFAULT_SHOW_LABELS = False
 
 
 class Shape(object):
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ class Shape(object):
     select_fill_color = DEFAULT_SELECT_FILL_COLOR
     vertex_fill_color = DEFAULT_VERTEX_FILL_COLOR
     hvertex_fill_color = DEFAULT_HVERTEX_FILL_COLOR
+    show_labels = DEFAULT_SHOW_LABELS
     point_type = P_ROUND
     point_size = 8
     scale = 1.0
@@ -168,6 +170,16 @@ def paint(self, painter):
                 if self.isClosed():
                     line_path.lineTo(self.points[0])
 
+            if self.show_labels:
+                painter.setFont(QtGui.QFont("Arial", 25))
+                label_x, label_y = self.points[0].x(), self.points[0].y()
+                for p in self.points:
+                    if p.x() < label_x:
+                        label_x = p.x()
+                        label_y = p.y()
+                shift_y = 20 * (2 if len(self.label) > 2 else 1)
+                painter.drawText(label_x - 15, label_y - shift_y, self.label)
+
             painter.drawPath(line_path)
             painter.drawPath(vrtx_path)
             painter.fillPath(vrtx_path, self._vertex_fill_color)