diff --git a/src/Avalonia.Controls/RelativePanel.AttachedProperties.cs b/src/Avalonia.Controls/RelativePanel.AttachedProperties.cs
index a42eb6d428..7e67f96152 100644
--- a/src/Avalonia.Controls/RelativePanel.AttachedProperties.cs
+++ b/src/Avalonia.Controls/RelativePanel.AttachedProperties.cs
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.ComponentModel;
 using System.Text;
 using Avalonia.Layout;
-using Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.Converters;
 
 namespace Avalonia.Controls
 {
@@ -20,7 +19,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         {
             AboveProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
             AlignBottomWithPanelProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
-            AlignBottomWithProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);            
+            AlignBottomWithProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
             AlignHorizontalCenterWithPanelProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
             AlignHorizontalCenterWithProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
             AlignLeftWithPanelProperty.Changed.AddClassHandler<Layoutable>(OnAlignPropertiesChanged);
@@ -43,8 +42,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.Above XAML attached property value of the specified object.
         /// (The element to position this element above.)
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetAbove(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AboveProperty);
@@ -60,9 +58,11 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
             obj.SetValue(AboveProperty, value);
         }
 
+
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AboveProperty"/> XAML attached property.
-        /// </summary>
+        /// </summary>        
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AboveProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<Layoutable, object>("Above", typeof(RelativePanel));
 
@@ -107,8 +107,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.AlignBottomWith XAML attached property value of the specified object.
         /// (The element to align this element's bottom edge with.)
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetAlignBottomWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignBottomWithProperty);
@@ -127,6 +126,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AlignBottomWithProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AlignBottomWithProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<Layoutable, object>("AlignBottomWith", typeof(RelativePanel));
 
@@ -170,8 +170,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.AlignHorizontalCenterWith XAML attached property value of the
         /// specified object. (The element to align this element's horizontal center with.)
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetAlignHorizontalCenterWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignHorizontalCenterWithProperty);
@@ -190,6 +189,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AlignHorizontalCenterWithProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AlignHorizontalCenterWithProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<Layoutable, object>("AlignHorizontalCenterWith", typeof(object), typeof(RelativePanel));
 
@@ -234,8 +234,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.AlignLeftWith XAML attached property value of the specified
         /// object. (The element to align this element's left edge with.)
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetAlignLeftWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignLeftWithProperty);
@@ -254,6 +253,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AlignLeftWithProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AlignLeftWithProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("AlignLeftWith");
 
@@ -298,8 +298,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.AlignRightWith XAML attached property value of the specified
         /// object. (The element to align this element's right edge with.)
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetAlignRightWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignRightWithProperty);
@@ -318,6 +317,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AlignRightWithProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AlignRightWithProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("AlignRightWith");
 
@@ -358,8 +358,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// Gets the value of the RelativePanel.AlignTopWith XAML attached property for the target element.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="obj">The object from which the property value is read.</param>
-        /// <returns>The value to set. (The element to align this element's top edge with.)</returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// <returns>The value to set. (The element to align this element's top edge with.)</returns>        
         public static object GetAlignTopWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignTopWithProperty);
@@ -378,6 +377,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.AlignTopWithProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> AlignTopWithProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("AlignTopWith");
 
@@ -418,8 +418,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// Gets the value of the RelativePanel.AlignVerticalCenterWith XAML attached property for the target element.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="obj">The object from which the property value is read.</param>
-        /// <returns>The value to set. (The element to align this element's vertical center with.)</returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// <returns>The value to set. (The element to align this element's vertical center with.)</returns>        
         public static object GetAlignVerticalCenterWith(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(AlignVerticalCenterWithProperty);
@@ -429,7 +428,8 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// Sets the value of the RelativePanel.AlignVerticalCenterWith XAML attached property for a target element.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="obj">The object to which the property value is written.</param>
-        /// <param name="value">The value to set. (The element to align this element's horizontal center with.)</param>
+        /// <param name="value">The value to set. (The element to align this element's horizontal center with.)</param>        
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static void SetAlignVerticalCenterWith(AvaloniaObject obj, object value)
         {
             obj.SetValue(AlignVerticalCenterWithProperty, value);
@@ -448,8 +448,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.Below XAML attached property value of the specified object.
         /// (The element to position this element below.)                                
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetBelow(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(BelowProperty);
@@ -468,6 +467,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.BelowProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> BelowProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("Below");
 
@@ -478,8 +478,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.LeftOf XAML attached property value of the specified object.
         /// (The element to position this element to the left of.)                                 
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetLeftOf(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(LeftOfProperty);
@@ -498,6 +497,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.LeftOfProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> LeftOfProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("LeftOf");
 
@@ -508,8 +508,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <returns>
         /// The RelativePanel.RightOf XAML attached property value of the specified object.
         /// (The element to position this element to the right of.)                                   
-        /// </returns>
-        [TypeConverter(typeof(NameReferenceConverter))]
+        /// </returns>        
         public static object GetRightOf(AvaloniaObject obj)
         {
             return (object)obj.GetValue(RightOfProperty);
@@ -528,6 +527,7 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         /// <summary>
         ///  Identifies the <see cref="RelativePanel.RightOfProperty"/> XAML attached property.
         /// </summary>
+        [ResolveByName]
         public static readonly AttachedProperty<object> RightOfProperty =
             AvaloniaProperty.RegisterAttached<RelativePanel, Layoutable, object>("RightOf");
     }
diff --git a/src/Avalonia.Controls/ResolveByNameAttribute.cs b/src/Avalonia.Controls/ResolveByNameAttribute.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a00e3f8a1b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Avalonia.Controls/ResolveByNameAttribute.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+using System;
+
+namespace Avalonia.Controls
+{
+    public class ResolveByNameAttribute : Attribute
+    {
+
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.csproj b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.csproj
index 35e801e5ce..dbcca28480 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.csproj
+++ b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.csproj
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\CompiledBindings\PropertyInfoAccessorPlugin.cs" />
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\CompiledBindings\TaskStreamPlugin.cs" />
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\DynamicResourceExtension.cs" />
+        <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\ResolveByNameExtension.cs" />
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\ResourceInclude.cs" />
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\StaticResourceExtension.cs" />
         <Compile Include="MarkupExtensions\StyleIncludeExtension.cs" />
diff --git a/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/MarkupExtensions/ResolveByNameExtension.cs b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/MarkupExtensions/ResolveByNameExtension.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3698bb3faa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/MarkupExtensions/ResolveByNameExtension.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+using System;
+using Avalonia.Controls;
+
+namespace Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.MarkupExtensions
+{
+    public class ResolveByNameExtension
+    {   
+        public string Name { get; set; }
+
+        public object ProvideValue(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
+        {
+            var namescope = serviceProvider.GetService<INameScope>();
+            var provideValueTarget = serviceProvider.GetService<IProvideValueTarget>();
+
+            var value = namescope.FindAsync(Name);
+
+            if(value.IsCompleted)
+            {
+                return value.GetResult();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                value.OnCompleted(() =>
+                {
+                    if(provideValueTarget is AvaloniaObject ao)
+                    {
+                        ao.SetValue(provideValueTarget.TargetProperty as AvaloniaProperty, value);
+                    }
+                });
+
+                return null;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/XamlIl/CompilerExtensions/Transformers/AvaloniaXamlIlResolveByNameMarkupExtensionReplacer.cs b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/XamlIl/CompilerExtensions/Transformers/AvaloniaXamlIlResolveByNameMarkupExtensionReplacer.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2323045ffd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Markup/Avalonia.Markup.Xaml/XamlIl/CompilerExtensions/Transformers/AvaloniaXamlIlResolveByNameMarkupExtensionReplacer.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+using System.Linq;
+using XamlX.Ast;
+using XamlX.Transform;
+
+namespace Avalonia.Markup.Xaml.XamlIl.CompilerExtensions.Transformers
+{
+    class AvaloniaXamlIlResolveByNameMarkupExtensionReplacer : IXamlAstTransformer
+    {
+        public IXamlAstNode Transform(AstTransformationContext context, IXamlAstNode node)
+        {
+            if (node is XamlAstXamlPropertyValueNode propertyValueNode)
+            {
+                foreach(var attribute in propertyValueNode.Property.GetClrProperty().CustomAttributes)
+                {
+                    if (attribute.Type.FullName == "Avalonia.Controls.ResolveByNameAttribute")
+                    {
+                        if (propertyValueNode.Values.Count == 1 &&
+                            propertyValueNode.Values.First() is XamlAstTextNode)
+                        {
+                            //propertyValueNode.Values[0] = new XamlMarkupExtensionNode();
+                        }
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            return node;
+        }
+    }
+}