diff --git a/lib/start.js b/lib/start.js
index f3fc5df5a791..27fd00f307ab 100644
--- a/lib/start.js
+++ b/lib/start.js
@@ -38,6 +38,17 @@ const start = (buildConfig = config.defaultBuildConfig, options) => {
   if (options.show_component_extensions) {
     braveArgs.push('--show-component-extension-options')
   }
+  if (options.user_data_dir_name) {
+    let user_data_dir
+    if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
+      user_data_dir = path.join(process.env.HOME, 'Library', 'Application\\ Support', 'BraveSoftware', options.user_data_dir_name)
+    } else if (process.platform === 'win32') {
+      user_data_dir = path.join(process.env.LocalAppData, 'BraveSoftware', options.user_data_dir_name)
+    } else {
+      user_data_dir = path.join(process.env.HOME, '.config', 'BraveSoftware', options.user_data_dir_name)
+    }
+    braveArgs.push('--user-data-dir=' + user_data_dir);
+  }
 
   let cmdOptions = {
     stdio: 'inherit',
diff --git a/scripts/commands.js b/scripts/commands.js
index 78f2ab5031b3..18c54c57018e 100644
--- a/scripts/commands.js
+++ b/scripts/commands.js
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ program
   .command('start')
   .option('--v [log_level]', 'set log level to [log_level]', parseInt, '0')
   .option('--vmodule [modules]', 'verbose log from specific modules')
-  .option('--user_data_dir_name [base_name]', 'set user data directory base name to [base_name]', 'brave-development')
+  .option('--user_data_dir_name [base_name]', 'set user data directory base name to [base_name]', 'Brave-Browser-Development')
   .option('--no_sandbox', 'disable the sandbox')
   .option('--disable_brave_extension', 'disable loading the Brave extension')
   .option('--disable_brave_rewards_extension', 'disable loading the Brave Rewards extension')