diff --git a/src/coff/coff_parse.c b/src/coff/coff_parse.c
index 1db0b582..c2d129f7 100644
--- a/src/coff/coff_parse.c
+++ b/src/coff/coff_parse.c
@@ -166,13 +166,20 @@ coff_section_header_array_from_name(Arena *arena, String8 string_table, COFF_Sec
 }
 
 
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
-coff_parse_symbol32(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol32 *sym32)
-{
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = {0};
-  result.name              = coff_read_symbol_name(string_table, &sym32->name);
-  result.value             = sym32->value;
-  result.section_number    = sym32->section_number;
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol32(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol32 *sym32)
+{
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = coff_parse_symbol32_no_name(sym32);
+  result.name              = coff_read_symbol_name(string_table, &sym32->name);
+  return result;
+}
+
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol32_no_name(COFF_Symbol32 *sym32)
+{
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = {0};
+  result.value             = sym32->value;
+  result.section_number    = sym32->section_number;
   result.type              = sym32->type;
   result.storage_class     = sym32->storage_class;
   result.aux_symbol_count  = sym32->aux_symbol_count;
@@ -180,12 +187,19 @@ coff_parse_symbol32(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol32 *sym32)
   return result;
 }
 
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
-coff_parse_symbol16(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol16 *sym16)
-{
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = {0};
-  result.name              = coff_read_symbol_name(string_table, &sym16->name);
-  result.value             = sym16->value;
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol16(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol16 *sym16)
+{
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = coff_parse_symbol16_no_name(sym16);
+  result.name              = coff_read_symbol_name(string_table, &sym16->name);
+  return result;
+}
+
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol16_no_name(COFF_Symbol16 *sym16)
+{
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = {0};
+  result.value             = sym16->value;
   if (sym16->section_number == COFF_Symbol_DebugSection16) {
     result.section_number = COFF_Symbol_DebugSection32;
   } else if (sym16->section_number == COFF_Symbol_AbsSection16) {
@@ -200,8 +214,8 @@ coff_parse_symbol16(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol16 *sym16)
   return result;
 }
 
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
-coff_parse_symbol(COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 string_table, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx)
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol(COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 string_table, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx)
 {
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   if (header.is_big_obj) {
@@ -209,8 +223,20 @@ coff_parse_symbol(COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 string_table, String8 symb
   } else {
     symbol = coff_parse_symbol16(string_table, (COFF_Symbol16 *)symbol_table.str + symbol_idx);
   }
-  return symbol;
-}
+  return symbol;
+}
+
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol
+coff_parse_symbol_no_name(COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx)
+{
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
+  if (header.is_big_obj) {
+    symbol = coff_parse_symbol32_no_name((COFF_Symbol32 *)symbol_table.str + symbol_idx);
+  } else {
+    symbol = coff_parse_symbol16_no_name((COFF_Symbol16 *)symbol_table.str + symbol_idx);
+  }
+  return symbol;
+}
 
 internal COFF_Symbol32Array
 coff_symbol_array_from_data_16(Arena *arena, String8 raw_coff, U64 symbol_array_off, U64 symbol_count)
diff --git a/src/coff/coff_parse.h b/src/coff/coff_parse.h
index edcb2952..ac377eae 100644
--- a/src/coff/coff_parse.h
+++ b/src/coff/coff_parse.h
@@ -259,9 +259,12 @@ internal String8                 coff_name_from_section_header      (String8 str
 ////////////////////////////////
 // Symbol
 
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol32(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol32 *sym32);
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol16(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol16 *sym16);
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol  (COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 string_table, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx);
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol32(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol32 *sym32);
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol16(String8 string_table, COFF_Symbol16 *sym16);
+internal COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol  (COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 string_table, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx);
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol32_no_name(COFF_Symbol32 *sym32);
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol16_no_name(COFF_Symbol16 *sym16);
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol coff_parse_symbol_no_name  (COFF_FileHeaderInfo header, String8 symbol_table, U32 symbol_idx);
 
 internal COFF_Symbol32Array coff_symbol_array_from_data_16(Arena *arena, String8 data, U64 symbol_array_off, U64 symbol_count);
 internal COFF_Symbol32Array coff_symbol_array_from_data_32(Arena *arena, String8 data, U64 symbol_array_off, U64 symbol_count);
diff --git a/src/linker/lnk.c b/src/linker/lnk.c
index 38b8f989..194eff03 100644
--- a/src/linker/lnk.c
+++ b/src/linker/lnk.c
@@ -1703,7 +1703,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_search_lib_task)
     for (U64 i = i_begin; i < i_end; i += 1) {
       LNK_Symbol                *symbol        = c->v[i].symbol;
       LNK_ObjSymbolRef           symbol_ref    = lnk_ref_from_symbol(symbol);
-      COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(symbol);
+      COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symbol_ref.obj, symbol_ref.symbol_idx);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType symbol_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol_parsed);
 
       if (symbol_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined) {
@@ -1722,11 +1722,11 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_search_lib_task)
           if (search_anti_deps) {
             LNK_ObjSymbolRef dep_symbol = {0};
             if (lnk_resolve_weak_symbol(symtab, symbol_ref, &dep_symbol)) {
-              COFF_ParsedSymbol          dep_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(dep_symbol.obj, dep_symbol.symbol_idx);
+              COFF_ParsedSymbol          dep_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(dep_symbol.obj, dep_symbol.symbol_idx);
               COFF_SymbolValueInterpType dep_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(dep_parsed);
               if (dep_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
                 U32 member_idx;
-                if (lnk_search_lib(lib, symbol_parsed.name, &member_idx)) {
+                if (lnk_search_lib(lib, symbol->name, &member_idx)) {
                   lnk_queue_lib_member(arena, task->imports_hm, task->link->lib_member_infos_hm, member_ref_list, symbol, lib, lib_member_infos, member_idx);
                 }
               }
@@ -2668,7 +2668,7 @@ lnk_resolve_reloc_target_symbol(Arena *arena, LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSy
     }
 
     // unpack symbol
-    COFF_ParsedSymbol          result_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(result.obj, result.symbol_idx);
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol          result_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(result.obj, result.symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType result_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(result_parsed);
 
     // resolve symbol
@@ -2803,7 +2803,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_opt_ref_task)
           if (ref_symbol.obj == 0) { continue; }
 
           // unpack resolved symbol
-          COFF_ParsedSymbol           ref_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(ref_symbol.obj, ref_symbol.symbol_idx);
+          COFF_ParsedSymbol           ref_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(ref_symbol.obj, ref_symbol.symbol_idx);
           COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  ref_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(ref_parsed);
 
           if (ref_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
@@ -3018,8 +3018,8 @@ lnk_icf_color_space_from_section(LNK_Obj *obj, U32 sect_idx)
         // fold MSVC vftables separately from other read-only data
         LNK_ObjSymbolRef symlink_ref = {0};
         if (lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(obj, sect_idx + 1, &symlink_ref)) {
-          COFF_ParsedSymbol symlink_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
-          if (str8_starts_with(symlink_symbol.name, str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX))) {
+          String8 symlink_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
+          if (str8_starts_with(symlink_name, str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX))) {
             result = LNK_ICF_ColorSpace_VFTable;
           }
         }
@@ -3126,12 +3126,12 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_opt_icf_task)
           LNK_ObjSymbolRef target_ref      = { .obj = obj, .symbol_idx = symbol_idx };
           B32              is_symbol_found = lnk_resolve_reloc_target_symbol(scratch.arena, task->symtab, target_ref, str8_lit("/OPT:ICF"), &target_ref);
           if (is_symbol_found) {
-            COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(target_ref.obj, target_ref.symbol_idx);
+            COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(target_ref.obj, target_ref.symbol_idx);
             if (coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol) == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
               target_ref.obj->section_flags[symbol.section_number - 1] |= LNK_SECTION_FLAG_NOICF;
             }
           } else {
-            COFF_ParsedSymbol original_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+            COFF_ParsedSymbol original_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
             if (coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(original_symbol) == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
               obj->section_flags[original_symbol.section_number - 1] |= LNK_SECTION_FLAG_NOICF;
             } else {
@@ -3283,7 +3283,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_opt_icf_task)
             LNK_ObjSymbolRef target_ref      = { .obj = obj, .symbol_idx = r->isymbol };
             B32              is_symbol_found = lnk_resolve_reloc_target_symbol(scratch2.arena, task->symtab, target_ref, str8_lit("/OPT:ICF"), &target_ref);
             if (is_symbol_found) {
-              COFF_ParsedSymbol target_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(target_ref.obj, target_ref.symbol_idx);
+              COFF_ParsedSymbol target_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(target_ref.obj, target_ref.symbol_idx);
               target->interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(target_symbol);
               target->value  = target_symbol.value;
 
@@ -3297,7 +3297,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_opt_icf_task)
                     target_obj->section_flags[target_sect - 1] & COFF_SectionFlag_LnkCOMDAT) {
                   LNK_ObjSymbolRef leader_ref = {0};
                   if (lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(target_obj, target_sect, &leader_ref)) {
-                    COFF_ParsedSymbol leader_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(leader_ref.obj, leader_ref.symbol_idx);
+                    COFF_ParsedSymbol leader_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(leader_ref.obj, leader_ref.symbol_idx);
                     if (leader_symbol.section_number != 0 && leader_symbol.section_number <= leader_ref.obj->header.section_count_no_null) {
                       target_obj  = leader_ref.obj;
                       target_sect = leader_symbol.section_number;
@@ -3650,7 +3650,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_opt_icf_task)
       U64     hop_count = 0;
       U64     hop_cap   = 1024;
       for(; hop_count < hop_cap; hop_count += 1) {
-        COFF_ParsedSymbol symlink_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
+        COFF_ParsedSymbol symlink_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
         LNK_ObjSymbolRef next_symlink_ref = {0};
         if (!lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_parsed.section_number, &next_symlink_ref)) { break; }
         if (MemoryMatchStruct(&next_symlink_ref, &symlink_ref)) { break; }
@@ -3944,7 +3944,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_set_comdat_leaders_contribs_task)
     LNK_ObjSymbolRef symlink_ref = {0};
     if ( ! lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(obj, section_number, &symlink_ref)) { continue; }
 
-    COFF_ParsedSymbol symlink_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol symlink_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
     task->sect_map[obj_idx][sect_idx] = task->sect_map[symlink_ref.obj->input_idx][symlink_parsed.section_number - 1];
   }
   ProfEnd();
@@ -3959,7 +3959,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_flag_debug_symbols_task)
 
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
     if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
       if (obj->section_flags[symbol.section_number-1] & LNK_SECTION_FLAG_DEBUG) {
@@ -3979,7 +3979,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_comdat_leaders_task)
   ProfBeginV("Patch COMDAT Offsets in %S", obj->path);
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
 
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
     if (interp != COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) { continue; }
@@ -3987,7 +3987,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_comdat_leaders_task)
     LNK_ObjSymbolRef symlink_ref = {0};
     if ( ! lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(obj, symbol.section_number, &symlink_ref)) { continue; }
 
-    COFF_ParsedSymbol leader_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol leader_symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
     if (symlink_ref.obj == obj && leader_symbol.section_number == symbol.section_number) { continue; }
 
     B32 is_external = symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_External;
@@ -4012,7 +4012,9 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_comdat_leaders_task)
         should_patch = 1;
       }
     } else {
-      if (is_external && str8_match(symbol.name, leader_symbol.name, 0)) {
+      String8 symbol_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+      String8 leader_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink_ref.obj, symlink_ref.symbol_idx);
+      if (is_external && str8_match(symbol_name, leader_name, 0)) {
         value = leader_symbol.value;
         should_patch = 1;
       }
@@ -4111,10 +4113,10 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_common_block_symbols_task)
   ProfBeginV("Patch Common Block Symbols [%S]", obj->path);
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
     if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Common) {
-      LNK_Symbol       *defn        = lnk_symbol_table_search(task->symtab, symbol.name);
+      LNK_Symbol       *defn        = lnk_symbol_table_search(task->symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx));
       COFF_ParsedSymbol defn_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(defn);
       Assert(lnk_interp_from_symbol(defn) == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular);
       if (defn) {
@@ -4145,7 +4147,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_regular_symbols_task)
   ProfBeginV("Patch Regular Symbols [%S]", obj->path);
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
 
     if (task->u.patch_symtabs.was_symbol_patched[obj_idx][symbol_idx]) { continue; }
 
@@ -4183,7 +4185,7 @@ lnk_patch_obj_symtab(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_Obj *obj, B8 *was_symbol_patch
 
   COFF_ParsedSymbol fixup_dst;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + fixup_dst.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    fixup_dst = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    fixup_dst = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     if (was_symbol_patched[symbol_idx]) { continue; }
 
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType fixup_dst_type = coff_interp_symbol(fixup_dst.section_number, fixup_dst.value, fixup_dst.storage_class);
@@ -4193,7 +4195,7 @@ lnk_patch_obj_symtab(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_Obj *obj, B8 *was_symbol_patch
     LNK_ObjSymbolRef fixup_symbol      = {0};
     B32               is_resolved       = lnk_resolve_symbol(symtab, symbol_to_resolve, &fixup_symbol);
     if (is_resolved) {
-      COFF_ParsedSymbol          fixup_src          = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(fixup_symbol.obj, fixup_symbol.symbol_idx);
+      COFF_ParsedSymbol          fixup_src          = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(fixup_symbol.obj, fixup_symbol.symbol_idx);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType fixup_type         = coff_interp_symbol(fixup_src.section_number, fixup_src.value, fixup_src.storage_class);
       B32                         was_fixup_removed = fixup_src.section_number == lnk_obj_get_removed_section_number(fixup_symbol.obj);
 
@@ -4341,13 +4343,14 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_reloc_patcher)
       U32 symbol_secoff = 0;
       S64 symbol_voff   = 0;
       {
-        COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, reloc->isymbol);
+        COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, reloc->isymbol);
         COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
         if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
           if (symbol.section_number == lnk_obj_get_removed_section_number(obj)) {
             if (~section_flags & LNK_SECTION_FLAG_DEBUG) {
               String8 sect_name = coff_name_from_section_header(string_table, &section_table[sect_idx]);
-              lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_RelocationAgainstRemovedSection, obj, "relocating against symbol that is in a removed section (symbol: %S, reloc-section: %S 0x%llx, reloc-index: 0x%llx)", symbol.name, sect_name, sect_idx+1, reloc_idx);
+              String8 symbol_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, reloc->isymbol);
+              lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_RelocationAgainstRemovedSection, obj, "relocating against symbol that is in a removed section (symbol: %S, reloc-section: %S 0x%llx, reloc-index: 0x%llx)", symbol_name, sect_name, sect_idx+1, reloc_idx);
             }
             continue;
           }
@@ -4358,7 +4361,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_reloc_patcher)
           // There aren't enough bits in COFF symbol to store full image base address,
           // so we special case __ImageBase. A better solution would be to add
           // a 64-bit symbol format to COFF.
-          if (str8_match(symbol.name, str8_lit("__ImageBase"), 0)) {
+          if (str8_match(lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, reloc->isymbol), str8_lit("__ImageBase"), 0)) {
             symbol.value = task->image_base;
           }
           symbol_secnum = 0;
@@ -4447,7 +4450,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_flag_hotpatch_contribs_task)
   if (obj->hotpatch) {
     COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
     for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-      symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+      symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
       if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular && COFF_SymbolType_IsFunc(symbol.type)) {
         LNK_SectionContrib *sc = task->sect_map[obj_idx][symbol.section_number-1];
@@ -4862,7 +4865,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_section_symbols_task)
   ProfBegin("Patch Section Symbols [%S]", obj->path);
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
     if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined) {
       if (symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_Section) {
@@ -4885,7 +4888,8 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_section_symbols_task)
         }
         if (!is_referenced) { continue; }
 
-        LNK_Section *sect = lnk_section_table_search(task->sectab, symbol.name, symbol.value);
+        String8      symbol_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+        LNK_Section *sect        = lnk_section_table_search(task->sectab, symbol_name, symbol.value);
         if (sect && (~sect->flags & COFF_SectionFlag_LnkRemove)) {
           if (~sect->flags & COFF_SectionFlag_MemDiscardable) {
             LNK_SectionContrib *first_sc = lnk_get_first_section_contrib(sect);
@@ -4901,7 +4905,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_section_symbols_task)
               symbol16->storage_class  = COFF_SymStorageClass_Static;
             }
           } else {
-            lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_SectRefsDiscardedMemory, obj, "symbol %S (No. 0x%llx) references section with discard flag", symbol.name, symbol_idx);
+            lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_SectRefsDiscardedMemory, obj, "symbol %S (No. 0x%llx) references section with discard flag", symbol_name, symbol_idx);
           }
         } else {
           U64 fallback_voff = 0;
@@ -4929,7 +4933,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_patch_section_symbols_task)
             symbol16->storage_class  = COFF_SymStorageClass_Static;
           }
 
-          lnk_error_obj(LNK_Warning_UndefinedSectionSymbol, obj, "undefined section symbol %S (No. 0x%llx) refers to an image section that doesn't exist; patching to %#llx", symbol.name, symbol_idx, fallback_voff);
+          lnk_error_obj(LNK_Warning_UndefinedSectionSymbol, obj, "undefined section symbol %S (No. 0x%llx) refers to an image section that doesn't exist; patching to %#llx", symbol_name, symbol_idx, fallback_voff);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -4955,7 +4959,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_gather_base_reloc_pages_task)
     for EachIndex(reloc_idx, relocs.count) {
       COFF_Reloc *r = &relocs.v[reloc_idx];
 
-      COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol        = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, r->isymbol);
+      COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol        = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, r->isymbol);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType symbol_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
       if (symbol_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Abs) { continue; }
 
@@ -4983,7 +4987,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_gather_base_reloc_pages_task)
       switch (is_addr) {
       case 4: {
         if (task->is_large_addr_aware) {
-          lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_LargeAddrAwareRequired, obj, "found out of range ADDR32 relocation for '%S', link with /LARGEADDRESSAWARE:NO", symbol.name);
+          lnk_error_obj(LNK_Error_LargeAddrAwareRequired, obj, "found out of range ADDR32 relocation for '%S', link with /LARGEADDRESSAWARE:NO", lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, r->isymbol));
         } else {
           u64_list_push(arena, page->v.entries_addr32, reloc_voff);
         }
diff --git a/src/linker/lnk_obj.c b/src/linker/lnk_obj.c
index baa482f7..6b497992 100644
--- a/src/linker/lnk_obj.c
+++ b/src/linker/lnk_obj.c
@@ -125,13 +125,38 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
   }
 
   //
-  // error check symbol table
+  // error check symbol table and cache name lengths for primary symbols
   //
+  U64 primary_symbol_count = 0;
+  {
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
+    for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += 1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count) {
+      symbol = coff_parse_symbol_no_name(header, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
+      primary_symbol_count += 1;
+    }
+  }
+
+  U64                 name_block_count = CeilIntegerDiv(header.symbol_count, 64);
+  LNK_SymbolNameCache symbol_name_cache = {
+    .masks       = push_array(arena, U64, name_block_count),
+    .block_bases = push_array_no_zero(arena, U32, name_block_count),
+    .name_sizes  = push_array_no_zero(arena, U32, primary_symbol_count),
+  };
   {
     COFF_SectionHeader *section_table = (COFF_SectionHeader *)str8_substr(input->data, header.section_table_range).str;
+    U64 next_block = 0;
+    U32 name_count = 0;
     COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
     for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
       symbol = coff_parse_symbol(header, raw_coff_string_table, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
+      U64 block_idx = symbol_idx >> 6;
+      while (next_block <= block_idx) {
+        symbol_name_cache.block_bases[next_block++] = name_count;
+      }
+      if (symbol.name.size) {
+        symbol_name_cache.masks[block_idx] |= 1ull << (symbol_idx & 63);
+        symbol_name_cache.name_sizes[name_count++] = safe_cast_u32(symbol.name.size);
+      }
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
       if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
         if (symbol.section_number == 0 || symbol.section_number > header.section_count_no_null) {
@@ -149,6 +174,9 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
         }
       }
     }
+    while (next_block < name_block_count) {
+      symbol_name_cache.block_bases[next_block++] = name_count;
+    }
   }
 
   //
@@ -161,7 +189,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
 
     COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
     for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-      symbol = coff_parse_symbol(header, raw_coff_string_table, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
+      symbol = coff_parse_symbol_no_name(header, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
 
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol.section_number, symbol.value, symbol.storage_class);
       if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
@@ -208,7 +236,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
         }
 
         // extract COMDAT info for current section
-        COFF_ParsedSymbol     symbol         = coff_parse_symbol(header, raw_coff_string_table, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
+        COFF_ParsedSymbol     symbol         = coff_parse_symbol_no_name(header, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
         COFF_ComdatSelectType select         = COFF_ComdatSelect_Null;
         U32                   section_number = 0;
         coff_parse_secdef(symbol, header.is_big_obj, &select, &section_number, 0, 0);
@@ -247,7 +275,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
   {
     COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol;
     for (U32 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-      symbol = coff_parse_symbol(header, raw_coff_string_table, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
+      symbol = coff_parse_symbol_no_name(header, raw_coff_symbol_table, symbol_idx);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
       if (interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular && symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_Static && symbol.aux_symbol_count > 0) {
         COFF_ComdatSelectType selection      = COFF_ComdatSelect_Null;
@@ -335,6 +363,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_obj_initer)
   obj->path                    = push_str8_copy(arena, input->path);
   obj->header                  = header;
   obj->section_flags           = section_flags;
+  obj->symbol_name_cache       = symbol_name_cache;
   obj->comdats                 = comdats;
   obj->exclude_from_debug_info = input->exclude_from_debug_info;
   obj->hotpatch                = hotpatch;
@@ -426,7 +455,7 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_input_coff_symbol_table)
   LNK_Obj                  *obj  = task->objs[task_id];
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol = {0};
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
     switch (interp) {
     case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular: {
@@ -435,27 +464,27 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_input_coff_symbol_table)
         if (*section.flags & COFF_SectionFlag_LnkRemove) {
           break;
         }
-        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, symbol.name, obj, symbol_idx);
+        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx), obj, symbol_idx);
         lnk_symbol_table_push_(task->symtab, arena, worker_id, defn);
       }
     } break;
     case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak: {
-      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, symbol.name, obj, symbol_idx);
+      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx), obj, symbol_idx);
       lnk_symbol_table_push_(task->symtab, arena, worker_id, defn);
     } break;
     case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined: {
       if (symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_External) {
-        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, symbol.name, obj, symbol_idx);
+        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx), obj, symbol_idx);
         lnk_symbol_table_push_(task->symtab, arena, worker_id, defn);
       }
     } break;
     case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Common: {
-      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, symbol.name, obj, symbol_idx);
+      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx), obj, symbol_idx);
       lnk_symbol_table_push_(task->symtab, arena, worker_id, defn);
     } break;
     case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Abs: {
       if (symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_External) {
-        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, symbol.name, obj, symbol_idx);
+        LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_make_symbol(arena, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx), obj, symbol_idx);
         lnk_symbol_table_push_(task->symtab, arena, worker_id, defn);
       }
     } break;
@@ -473,7 +502,7 @@ lnk_symlinks_from_obj(Arena *arena, LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_Obj *obj)
   LNK_ObjSymbolRef *symlinks = push_array(arena, LNK_ObjSymbolRef, obj->header.section_count_no_null + 1);
   COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol = {0};
   for (U64 symbol_idx = 0; symbol_idx < obj->header.symbol_count; symbol_idx += (1 + symbol.aux_symbol_count)) {
-    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    symbol = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol);
     if (interp != COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) { continue; }
 
@@ -484,13 +513,14 @@ lnk_symlinks_from_obj(Arena *arena, LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_Obj *obj)
 
     // external symbols
     if (symbol.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_External && symbol.aux_symbol_count == 0) {
+      String8 symbol_name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
       B32 can_set_symlink = (symlink->obj == 0 || symbol.value == 0);
       if (!can_set_symlink && symlink->obj == obj) {
-        COFF_ParsedSymbol leader = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink->obj, symlink->symbol_idx);
+        COFF_ParsedSymbol leader = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symlink->obj, symlink->symbol_idx);
         B32 leader_is_same_section  = leader.section_number == symbol.section_number;
         B32 leader_is_static_anchor = (leader_is_same_section && leader.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_Static && leader.aux_symbol_count == 0);
-        B32 leader_is_vftable       = str8_starts_with(leader.name, str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX));
-        B32 current_is_vftable      = str8_starts_with(symbol.name, str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX));
+        B32 leader_is_vftable       = str8_starts_with(lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symlink->obj, symlink->symbol_idx), str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX));
+        B32 current_is_vftable      = str8_starts_with(symbol_name, str8_lit(MSCRT_VFTABLE_SYMBOL_PREFIX));
 
         // prefer public symbols to local static anchors; prefer vftable public
         // symbols to other public symbols so ICF keeps vftables in their own color space
@@ -498,7 +528,7 @@ lnk_symlinks_from_obj(Arena *arena, LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_Obj *obj)
       }
 
       if (can_set_symlink) {
-        LNK_SymbolHashTrie *link_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search_(symtab, symbol.name);
+        LNK_SymbolHashTrie *link_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search_(symtab, symbol_name);
         if (link_symbol) {
           *symlink = lnk_ref_from_symbol(link_symbol->symbol);
         }
@@ -741,7 +771,7 @@ lnk_try_comdat_props_from_section_number(LNK_Obj *obj, U32 section_number, COFF_
   Assert(section_number > 0);
   U32 symbol_idx = obj->comdats[section_number-1];
   if (symbol_idx != max_U32) {
-    COFF_ParsedSymbol secdef = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol secdef = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
     coff_parse_secdef(secdef, obj->header.is_big_obj, select_out, section_number_out, section_length_out, check_sum_out);
     return 1;
   }
@@ -757,19 +787,39 @@ lnk_coff_section_header_from_section_number(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 section_number)
   return &section_table[sect_idx];
 }
 
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol
+lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx)
+{
+  return coff_parse_symbol_no_name(obj->header, lnk_coff_symbol_table_from_obj(obj), safe_cast_u32(symbol_idx));
+}
+
+internal force_inline String8
+lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx)
+{
+  String8 result    = {0};
+  U64     block_idx = symbol_idx >> 6;
+  U64     bit        = 1ull << (symbol_idx & 63);
+  U64     mask       = obj->symbol_name_cache.masks[block_idx];
+  if (mask & bit) {
+    U64 name_idx  = obj->symbol_name_cache.block_bases[block_idx] + count_bits_set64(mask & (bit - 1));
+    U64 name_size = obj->symbol_name_cache.name_sizes[name_idx];
+
+    String8          symbol_table = lnk_coff_symbol_table_from_obj(obj);
+    COFF_SymbolName *name         = obj->header.is_big_obj ? &((COFF_Symbol32 *)symbol_table.str)[symbol_idx].name
+                                                           : &((COFF_Symbol16 *)symbol_table.str)[symbol_idx].name;
+    U8 *name_ptr = name->long_name.zeroes == 0
+                 ? obj->data.str + obj->header.string_table_range.min + name->long_name.string_table_offset
+                 : name->short_name;
+    result = str8(name_ptr, name_size);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol
 lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx)
 {
-  String8 string_table = str8_substr(obj->data, obj->header.string_table_range);
-  String8 symbol_table = str8_substr(obj->data, obj->header.symbol_table_range);
-
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = {0};
-  if (obj->header.is_big_obj) {
-    result = coff_parse_symbol32(string_table, (COFF_Symbol32 *)symbol_table.str + symbol_idx);
-  } else {
-    result = coff_parse_symbol16(string_table, (COFF_Symbol16 *)symbol_table.str + symbol_idx);
-  }
-  
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol result = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(obj, symbol_idx);
+  result.name = lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(obj, symbol_idx);
   return result;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/linker/lnk_obj.h b/src/linker/lnk_obj.h
index 1cba2e1c..7655072e 100644
--- a/src/linker/lnk_obj.h
+++ b/src/linker/lnk_obj.h
@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@
 
 // --- Input -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+typedef struct LNK_SymbolNameCache
+{
+  U64 *masks;
+  U32 *block_bases;
+  U32 *name_sizes;
+} LNK_SymbolNameCache;
+
 typedef struct LNK_Obj
 {
   String8 path;
@@ -12,6 +19,7 @@ typedef struct LNK_Obj
 
   COFF_FileHeaderInfo header;
   COFF_SectionFlags  *section_flags;
+  LNK_SymbolNameCache symbol_name_cache;
 
   // flags
   B8 hotpatch;
@@ -148,7 +156,9 @@ internal U32List          lnk_obj_collect_associated_sections(Arena *arena, LNK_
 // --- Symbol & Section Helpers ------------------------------------------------
 
 internal COFF_SectionHeader * lnk_coff_section_header_from_section_number(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 section_number);
-internal COFF_ParsedSymbol    lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx);
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx);
+internal force_inline COFF_ParsedSymbol lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx);
+internal force_inline String8           lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 symbol_idx);
 internal U64                  lnk_obj_sect_idx_from_section_number(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 section_number);
 internal U64                  lnk_obj_section_number_from_sect_idx(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 sect_idx);
 internal String8              lnk_obj_section_name_from_section_number(LNK_Obj *obj, U64 section_number);
diff --git a/src/linker/lnk_symbol_table.c b/src/linker/lnk_symbol_table.c
index ea02e1d9..33557435 100644
--- a/src/linker/lnk_symbol_table.c
+++ b/src/linker/lnk_symbol_table.c
@@ -105,12 +105,12 @@ lnk_can_replace_symbol(LNK_Symbol *dst, LNK_Symbol *src)
 {
   B32 can_replace = 0;
 
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol           dst_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(dst);
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol           src_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(src);
-  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  dst_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(dst);
-  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  src_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(src);
   LNK_ObjSymbolRef            dst_ref    = lnk_ref_from_symbol(dst);
   LNK_ObjSymbolRef            src_ref    = lnk_ref_from_symbol(src);
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol           dst_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(dst_ref.obj, dst_ref.symbol_idx);
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol           src_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(src_ref.obj, src_ref.symbol_idx);
+  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  dst_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(dst_parsed);
+  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  src_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(src_parsed);
   LNK_Obj                    *dst_obj    = dst_ref.obj;
   LNK_Obj                    *src_obj    = src_ref.obj;
 
@@ -338,9 +338,9 @@ lnk_can_replace_symbol(LNK_Symbol *dst, LNK_Symbol *src)
 internal void
 lnk_on_symbol_replace(LNK_Symbol *dst, LNK_Symbol *src)
 {
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol          dst_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(dst);
-  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType dst_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(dst);
   LNK_ObjSymbolRef           dst_ref    = lnk_ref_from_symbol(dst);
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol          dst_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(dst_ref.obj, dst_ref.symbol_idx);
+  COFF_SymbolValueInterpType dst_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(dst_parsed);
 
   if (dst_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular) {
     // remove replaced section from the output
@@ -537,7 +537,8 @@ lnk_parsed_from_symbol(LNK_Symbol *symbol)
 internal COFF_SymbolValueInterpType
 lnk_interp_from_symbol(LNK_Symbol *symbol)
 {
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(symbol); 
+  LNK_ObjSymbolRef  ref           = lnk_ref_from_symbol(symbol);
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(ref.obj, ref.symbol_idx);
   return coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol_parsed);
 }
 
@@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ lnk_resolve_weak_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_Ob
       goto exit;
     }
 
-    COFF_ParsedSymbol          current_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(current_symbol.obj, current_symbol.symbol_idx);
+    COFF_ParsedSymbol          current_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(current_symbol.obj, current_symbol.symbol_idx);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType current_interp = coff_interp_symbol(current_parsed.section_number, current_parsed.value, current_parsed.storage_class);
     if (current_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
       // record visited symbol
@@ -671,7 +672,7 @@ lnk_resolve_weak_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_Ob
       SLLQueuePush(sf, sl, s);
 
       // does weak symbol have a definition?
-      LNK_Symbol                 *defn_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, current_parsed.name);
+      LNK_Symbol                 *defn_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(current_symbol.obj, current_symbol.symbol_idx));
       COFF_ParsedSymbol           defn_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(defn_symbol);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  defn_interp = coff_interp_symbol(defn_parsed.section_number, defn_parsed.value, defn_parsed.storage_class);
       if (defn_interp != COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
@@ -682,19 +683,19 @@ lnk_resolve_weak_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_Ob
       COFF_SymbolWeakExt *weak_ext = coff_parse_weak_tag(current_parsed, current_symbol.obj->header.is_big_obj);
 
       // no definition -- fallback to default symbol
-      COFF_ParsedSymbol           tag_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(current_symbol.obj, weak_ext->tag_index);
+      COFF_ParsedSymbol           tag_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(current_symbol.obj, weak_ext->tag_index);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  tag_interp = coff_interp_symbol(tag_parsed.section_number, tag_parsed.value, tag_parsed.storage_class);
       current_symbol = (LNK_ObjSymbolRef){ .obj = current_symbol.obj, .symbol_idx = weak_ext->tag_index };
 
       if (weak_ext->characteristics == COFF_WeakExt_AntiDependency) {
         if (tag_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined || tag_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
-          LNK_Symbol *dep_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, tag_parsed.name);
+          LNK_Symbol *dep_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(current_symbol.obj, weak_ext->tag_index));
           tag_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(dep_symbol);
         }
         if (tag_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) { break; }
       }
     } else if (current_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined) {
-      LNK_Symbol                 *defn_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, current_parsed.name);
+      LNK_Symbol                 *defn_symbol = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(current_symbol.obj, current_symbol.symbol_idx));
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  defn_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(defn_symbol);
 
       // unresolved undefined symbol
@@ -719,7 +720,7 @@ internal B32
 lnk_resolve_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_ObjSymbolRef *symbol_out)
 {
   B32                        is_resolved   = 1;
-  COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx);
+  COFF_ParsedSymbol          symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx);
   COFF_SymbolValueInterpType symbol_interp = coff_interp_symbol(symbol_parsed.section_number, symbol_parsed.value, symbol_parsed.storage_class);
   switch (symbol_interp) {
   case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Regular: { 
@@ -727,7 +728,7 @@ lnk_resolve_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_ObjSymb
     *symbol_out = lnk_obj_get_comdat_symlink(symbol.obj, symbol_parsed.section_number, &symlink) ? symlink : symbol;
   } break;
   case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak: {
-    LNK_Symbol                 *defn        = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, symbol_parsed.name);
+    LNK_Symbol                 *defn        = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx));
     COFF_ParsedSymbol           defn_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(defn);
     COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  defn_interp = lnk_interp_from_symbol(defn);
     if (defn_interp != COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined) {
@@ -737,7 +738,7 @@ lnk_resolve_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_ObjSymb
     }
   } break;
   case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Undefined: {
-    LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, symbol_parsed.name);
+    LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx));
     if (defn) {
       *symbol_out = lnk_ref_from_symbol(defn);
     } else {
@@ -745,12 +746,12 @@ lnk_resolve_symbol(LNK_SymbolTable *symtab, LNK_ObjSymbolRef symbol, LNK_ObjSymb
     }
   } break;
   case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Common: {
-    LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, symbol_parsed.name);
+    LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx));
     *symbol_out = lnk_ref_from_symbol(defn);
   } break;
   case COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Abs: {
     if (symbol_parsed.storage_class == COFF_SymStorageClass_External) { 
-      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, symbol_parsed.name);
+      LNK_Symbol *defn = lnk_symbol_table_search(symtab, lnk_symbol_name_from_coff_symbol_idx(symbol.obj, symbol.symbol_idx));
       *symbol_out = lnk_ref_from_symbol(defn);
     } else {
       *symbol_out = symbol;
@@ -769,12 +770,12 @@ THREAD_POOL_TASK_FUNC(lnk_replace_weak_with_default_symbol_task)
     for EachIndex(i, c->count) {
       LNK_Symbol                 *symbol        = c->v[i].symbol;
       LNK_ObjSymbolRef            symbol_ref    = lnk_ref_from_symbol(symbol);
-      COFF_ParsedSymbol           symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_from_symbol(symbol);
+      COFF_ParsedSymbol           symbol_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(symbol_ref.obj, symbol_ref.symbol_idx);
       COFF_SymbolValueInterpType  symbol_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(symbol_parsed);
       if (symbol_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
         LNK_ObjSymbolRef resolve = {0};
         if (lnk_resolve_weak_symbol(symtab, symbol_ref, &resolve)) {
-          COFF_ParsedSymbol          resolve_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx(resolve.obj, resolve.symbol_idx);
+          COFF_ParsedSymbol          resolve_parsed = lnk_parsed_symbol_from_coff_symbol_idx_no_name(resolve.obj, resolve.symbol_idx);
           COFF_SymbolValueInterpType resolve_interp = coff_interp_from_parsed_symbol(resolve_parsed);
           if (resolve_interp == COFF_SymbolValueInterp_Weak) {
             COFF_SymbolWeakExt *weak_ext = coff_parse_weak_tag(resolve_parsed, symbol_ref.obj->header.is_big_obj);