diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1fcbeb0..9c3e799 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -157,7 +157,8 @@ register((Artist, Album, Playlist))
 ```
 
 And if you wanted to add custom logic for an endpoint? Or change the endpoint
-name? Or add validation? All supported. Here's a "fancy" class definition:
+name? Or change your top level json object name? Or add validation? All supported.
+Here's a "fancy" class definition:
 
 ```python
 class Style(Model):
@@ -172,6 +173,7 @@ class Style(Model):
     __tablename__ = 'Genre'
     __endpoint__ = 'styles'
     __methods__ = ('GET', 'DELETE')
+    __top_level_json_name__ = 'Genres'
 
     @staticmethod
     def validate_GET(resource=None):
diff --git a/sandman/model/models.py b/sandman/model/models.py
index 7c8cc89..1773dcd 100644
--- a/sandman/model/models.py
+++ b/sandman/model/models.py
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ class Model(object):
     Default: None
     """
 
+    __top_level_json_name__ = None
+    """The top level json text to output for this class
+
+    Default: 'resources'
+    """
+
     __methods__ = ('GET', 'POST', 'PATCH', 'DELETE', 'PUT')
     """override :attr:`__methods__` if you wish to change the HTTP methods
     this :class:`sandman.model.Model` supports.
diff --git a/sandman/sandman.py b/sandman/sandman.py
index e2f5598..ed66552 100644
--- a/sandman/sandman.py
+++ b/sandman/sandman.py
@@ -117,20 +117,31 @@ def _single_resource_html_response(resource):
     return make_response(render_template('resource.html', resource=resource,
         tablename=tablename))
 
-def _collection_json_response(resources, start, stop, depth=0):
+def _collection_json_response(cls, resources, start, stop, depth=0):
     """Return the JSON representation of the collection *resources*.
 
     :param list resources: list of :class:`sandman.model.Model`s to render
     :rtype: :class:`flask.Response`
 
     """
+
+    top_level_json_name = None
+    if cls.__top_level_json_name__ is not None:
+        top_level_json_name = cls.__top_level_json_name__
+    else:
+        top_level_json_name = 'resources'
+
     result_list = []
     for resource in resources:
         result_list.append(resource.as_dict(depth))
+
+    payload = {}
     if start is not None:
-        return jsonify(resources=result_list[start:stop])
+        payload[top_level_json_name] = result_list[start:stop]
     else:
-        return jsonify(resources=result_list)
+        payload[top_level_json_name] = result_list
+
+    return jsonify(payload)
 
 def _collection_html_response(resources, start=0, stop=20):
     """Return the HTML representation of the collection *resources*.
@@ -262,7 +273,7 @@ def resource_created_response(resource):
             resource.resource_uri())
     return response
 
-def collection_response(resources, start=None, stop=None):
+def collection_response(cls, resources, start=None, stop=None):
     """Return a response for the *resources* of the appropriate content type.
 
     :param resources: resources to be returned in request
@@ -271,7 +282,7 @@ def collection_response(resources, start=None, stop=None):
 
     """
     if _get_acceptable_response_type() == JSON:
-        return _collection_json_response(resources, start, stop)
+        return _collection_json_response(cls, resources, start, stop)
     else:
         return _collection_html_response(resources, start, stop)
 
@@ -487,7 +498,7 @@ def get_collection(collection):
         page = int(request.args['page'])
         results_per_page = app.config.get('RESULTS_PER_PAGE', 20)
         start, stop = page * results_per_page, (page +1) * results_per_page
-    return collection_response(resources, start, stop)
+    return collection_response(cls, resources, start, stop)
 
 @app.route('/', methods=['GET'])
 @etag
diff --git a/tests/models.py b/tests/models.py
index f85ed0e..4914087 100644
--- a/tests/models.py
+++ b/tests/models.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ class Album(Model):
 
     __tablename__ = 'Album'
     __methods__ = ('POST', 'PATCH', 'DELETE', 'PUT', 'GET')
+    __top_level_json_name__ = 'Albums'
 
     def __str__(self):
         """Return string representation of *self*."""
diff --git a/tests/test_sandman.py b/tests/test_sandman.py
index c7d5a8e..014849e 100644
--- a/tests/test_sandman.py
+++ b/tests/test_sandman.py
@@ -289,6 +289,12 @@ def test_put_fail_validation(self):
                       'UnitPrice': 0.99,}))
         assert response.status_code == 403
 
+    def test_responds_with_top_level_json_name_if_present(self):
+        """Test top level json element is the one defined on the Model
+        rather than the string 'resources'"""
+        response = self.get_response('/albums', 200)
+        assert len(json.loads(response.get_data(as_text=True))[u'Albums']) == 347
+
 class TestSandmanValidation(TestSandmanBase):
     """Sandman tests related to request validation"""