diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/cast.py b/tools/python/jwutils/cast.py
index 2bff110..ffa6a10 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/cast.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/cast.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def guess_type(s: str, default=None, log_level=DEBUG, throw=False): # export
     slog(log_level, msg)
     return default
 
-def cast_str(s: str, target_type=None, default_type=None, throw=True, log_level=WARNING, caller=None): # export
+def from_str(s: str, target_type=None, default_type=None, throw=True, log_level=WARNING, caller=None): # export
     if target_type is None:
         target_type = guess_type(s, default_type)
         if target_type is None:
@@ -80,3 +80,6 @@ def cast_str(s: str, target_type=None, default_type=None, throw=True, log_level=
     slog(log_level, msg)
     return None
 
+# deprecated name
+def cast_str(s: str, target_type=None, default_type=None, throw=True, log_level=WARNING, caller=None):
+    return from_str(s, target_type=target_type, default_type=None, throw=True, log_level=WARNING, caller=None)