diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 310a903..31125ae 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@
 
 ## 4.1.0 (not yet released)
 
- * `aasm_human_event_name` is deprecated, use `aasm.human_event_name` instead
+ * `aasm_column` has been removed. Use `aasm.attribute_name` instead
+ * `aasm_human_event_name` has been removed. Use `aasm.human_event_name` instead
+
+## 4.0.x (not yet released)
+
+ * `aasm_column` is deprecated. Use `aasm.attribute_name` instead
 
 ## 4.0.2
 
@@ -11,6 +16,7 @@
 ## 4.0.1
 
  * fire guards only once per transition (see [issue #184](https://github.com/aasm/aasm/issues/184) for details)
+ * `aasm_human_event_name` is deprecated, use `aasm.human_event_name` instead
 
 ## 4.0.0
 
diff --git a/lib/aasm/base.rb b/lib/aasm/base.rb
index a4b3d54..2eb833e 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/base.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/base.rb
@@ -34,6 +34,16 @@ module AASM
       end
     end
 
+    # This method is both a getter and a setter
+    def attribute_name(column_name=nil)
+      if column_name
+        @state_machine.config.column = column_name.to_sym
+      else
+        @state_machine.config.column ||= :aasm_state
+      end
+      @state_machine.config.column
+    end
+
     def initial_state(new_initial_state=nil)
       if new_initial_state
         @state_machine.initial_state = new_initial_state
diff --git a/lib/aasm/localizer.rb b/lib/aasm/localizer.rb
index 5bc44fa..e1cd126 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/localizer.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/localizer.rb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ module AASM
 
     def item_for(klass, state, ancestor, options={})
       separator = options[:old_style] ? '.' : '/'
-      :"#{i18n_scope(klass)}.attributes.#{i18n_klass(ancestor)}.#{klass.aasm_column}#{separator}#{state}"
+      :"#{i18n_scope(klass)}.attributes.#{i18n_klass(ancestor)}.#{klass.aasm.attribute_name}#{separator}#{state}"
     end
 
     def translate_queue(checklist)
diff --git a/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb b/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
index b8979c0..31e164a 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
@@ -84,17 +84,17 @@ module AASM
         #
         # NOTE: intended to be called from an event
         def aasm_write_state(state)
-          old_value = read_attribute(self.class.aasm_column)
+          old_value = read_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name)
           aasm_write_attribute state
 
           success = if aasm_skipping_validations
             value = aasm_raw_attribute_value state
-            self.class.where(self.class.primary_key => self.id).update_all(self.class.aasm_column => value) == 1
+            self.class.where(self.class.primary_key => self.id).update_all(self.class.aasm.attribute_name => value) == 1
           else
             self.save
           end
           unless success
-            write_attribute(self.class.aasm_column, old_value)
+            write_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name, old_value)
             return false
           end
 
@@ -128,11 +128,11 @@ module AASM
         end
 
         def aasm_column_looks_like_enum
-          self.class.columns_hash[self.class.aasm_column.to_s].type == :integer
+          self.class.columns_hash[self.class.aasm.attribute_name.to_s].type == :integer
         end
 
         def aasm_guess_enum_method
-          self.class.aasm_column.to_s.pluralize.to_sym
+          self.class.aasm.attribute_name.to_s.pluralize.to_sym
         end
 
         def aasm_skipping_validations
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ module AASM
         end
 
         def aasm_write_attribute(state)
-          write_attribute self.class.aasm_column, aasm_raw_attribute_value(state)
+          write_attribute self.class.aasm.attribute_name, aasm_raw_attribute_value(state)
         end
 
         def aasm_raw_attribute_value(state)
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ module AASM
         #   foo.aasm_state # => nil
         #
         def aasm_ensure_initial_state
-          aasm.enter_initial_state if send(self.class.aasm_column).blank?
+          aasm.enter_initial_state if send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).blank?
         end
 
         def aasm_fire_event(name, options, *args, &block)
diff --git a/lib/aasm/persistence/base.rb b/lib/aasm/persistence/base.rb
index e103b7c..be12ac5 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/persistence/base.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/persistence/base.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ module AASM
         base.extend ClassMethods
       end
 
-      # Returns the value of the aasm_column - called from <tt>aasm.current_state</tt>
+      # Returns the value of the aasm.attribute_name - called from <tt>aasm.current_state</tt>
       #
       # If it's a new record, and the aasm state column is blank it returns the initial state
       # (example provided here for ActiveRecord, but it's true for Mongoid as well):
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ module AASM
       #
       # This allows for nil aasm states - be sure to add validation to your model
       def aasm_read_state
-        state = send(self.class.aasm_column)
+        state = send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name)
         if new_record?
           state.blank? ? aasm.determine_state_name(self.class.aasm.initial_state) : state.to_sym
         else
@@ -42,41 +42,9 @@ module AASM
       end
 
       module ClassMethods
-        # Maps to the aasm_column in the database.  Defaults to "aasm_state".  You can write
-        # (example provided here for ActiveRecord, but it's true for Mongoid as well):
-        #
-        #   create_table :foos do |t|
-        #     t.string :name
-        #     t.string :aasm_state
-        #   end
-        #
-        #   class Foo < ActiveRecord::Base
-        #     include AASM
-        #   end
-        #
-        # OR:
-        #
-        #   create_table :foos do |t|
-        #     t.string :name
-        #     t.string :status
-        #   end
-        #
-        #   class Foo < ActiveRecord::Base
-        #     include AASM
-        #     aasm_column :status
-        #   end
-        #
-        # This method is both a getter and a setter
-        def aasm_column(column_name=nil)
-          if column_name
-            AASM::StateMachine[self].config.column = column_name.to_sym
-            # @aasm_column = column_name.to_sym
-          else
-            AASM::StateMachine[self].config.column ||= :aasm_state
-            # @aasm_column ||= :aasm_state
-          end
-          # @aasm_column
-          AASM::StateMachine[self].config.column
+        def aasm_column(attribute_name=nil)
+          warn "[DEPRECATION] aasm_column is deprecated. Use aasm.attribute_name instead"
+          aasm.attribute_name(attribute_name)
         end
       end # ClassMethods
 
@@ -90,7 +58,7 @@ module AASM
       if AASM::StateMachine[@klass].config.create_scopes && !@klass.respond_to?(name)
         if @klass.ancestors.map {|klass| klass.to_s}.include?("ActiveRecord::Base")
 
-          conditions = {"#{@klass.table_name}.#{@klass.aasm_column}" => name.to_s}
+          conditions = {"#{@klass.table_name}.#{@klass.aasm.attribute_name}" => name.to_s}
           if ActiveRecord::VERSION::MAJOR >= 3
             @klass.class_eval do
               scope name, lambda { where(conditions) }
@@ -101,7 +69,7 @@ module AASM
             end
           end
         elsif @klass.ancestors.map {|klass| klass.to_s}.include?("Mongoid::Document")
-          scope_options = lambda { @klass.send(:where, {@klass.aasm_column.to_sym => name.to_s}) }
+          scope_options = lambda { @klass.send(:where, {@klass.aasm.attribute_name.to_sym => name.to_s}) }
           @klass.send(:scope, name, scope_options)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/aasm/persistence/mongoid_persistence.rb b/lib/aasm/persistence/mongoid_persistence.rb
index 0cf4663..8c1d872 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/persistence/mongoid_persistence.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/persistence/mongoid_persistence.rb
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ module AASM
         end
 
         def with_state_scope(state)
-          with_scope where(aasm_column.to_sym => state.to_s) do
+          with_scope where(aasm.attribute_name.to_sym => state.to_s) do
             yield if block_given?
           end
         end
@@ -75,11 +75,11 @@ module AASM
         #
         # NOTE: intended to be called from an event
         def aasm_write_state(state)
-          old_value = read_attribute(self.class.aasm_column)
-          write_attribute(self.class.aasm_column, state.to_s)
+          old_value = read_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name)
+          write_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name, state.to_s)
 
           unless self.save(:validate => false)
-            write_attribute(self.class.aasm_column, old_value)
+            write_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name, old_value)
             return false
           end
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ module AASM
         #
         # NOTE: intended to be called from an event
         def aasm_write_state_without_persistence(state)
-          write_attribute(self.class.aasm_column, state.to_s)
+          write_attribute(self.class.aasm.attribute_name, state.to_s)
         end
 
       private
@@ -120,14 +120,14 @@ module AASM
         #   foo.aasm_state # => nil
         #
         def aasm_ensure_initial_state
-          send("#{self.class.aasm_column}=", aasm.enter_initial_state.to_s) if send(self.class.aasm_column).blank?
+          send("#{self.class.aasm.attribute_name}=", aasm.enter_initial_state.to_s) if send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).blank?
         end
       end # InstanceMethods
 
       module NamedScopeMethods
         def aasm_state_with_named_scope name, options = {}
           aasm_state_without_named_scope name, options
-          self.named_scope name, :conditions => { "#{table_name}.#{self.aasm_column}" => name.to_s} unless self.respond_to?(name)
+          self.named_scope name, :conditions => { "#{table_name}.#{self.aasm.attribute_name}" => name.to_s} unless self.respond_to?(name)
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/aasm/persistence/sequel_persistence.rb b/lib/aasm/persistence/sequel_persistence.rb
index 9de3e62..50c76c9 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/persistence/sequel_persistence.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/persistence/sequel_persistence.rb
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ module AASM
           super
         end
 
-        # Returns the value of the aasm_column - called from <tt>aasm.current_state</tt>
+        # Returns the value of the aasm.attribute_name - called from <tt>aasm.current_state</tt>
         #
         # If it's a new record, and the aasm state column is blank it returns the initial state
         #
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ module AASM
         #
         # This allows for nil aasm states - be sure to add validation to your model
         def aasm_read_state
-          state = send(self.class.aasm_column)
+          state = send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name)
           if new? && state.to_s.strip.empty?
             aasm.determine_state_name(self.class.aasm.initial_state)
           elsif state.nil?
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ module AASM
         #
         def aasm_ensure_initial_state
           aasm.enter_initial_state if
-            send(self.class.aasm_column).to_s.strip.empty?
+            send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).to_s.strip.empty?
         end
 
         # Writes <tt>state</tt> to the state column and persists it to the database
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ module AASM
         #
         # NOTE: intended to be called from an event
         def aasm_write_state state
-          aasm_column = self.class.aasm_column
+          aasm_column = self.class.aasm.attribute_name
           update_only({aasm_column => state.to_s}, aasm_column)
         end
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ module AASM
         #
         # NOTE: intended to be called from an event
         def aasm_write_state_without_persistence state
-          send("#{self.class.aasm_column}=", state.to_s)
+          send("#{self.class.aasm.attribute_name}=", state.to_s)
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/unit/persistence/active_record_persistence_spec.rb b/spec/unit/persistence/active_record_persistence_spec.rb
index a5d7865..80feba4 100644
--- a/spec/unit/persistence/active_record_persistence_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/persistence/active_record_persistence_spec.rb
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
     let(:columns_hash) { Hash[column_name, column] }
 
     before :each do
-      gate.class.stub(:aasm_column).and_return(column_name.to_sym)
+      gate.class.aasm.stub(:attribute_name).and_return(column_name.to_sym)
       gate.class.stub(:columns_hash).and_return(columns_hash)
     end
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
     subject { lambda{ gate.send(:aasm_guess_enum_method) } }
 
     before :each do
-      gate.class.stub(:aasm_column).and_return(:value)
+      gate.class.aasm.stub(:attribute_name).and_return(:value)
     end
 
     it "pluralizes AASM column name" do
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
     context "when AASM enum setting is simply set to true" do
       before :each do
         AASM::StateMachine[Gate].config.stub(:enum).and_return(true)
-        Gate.stub(:aasm_column).and_return(:value)
+        Gate.aasm.stub(:attribute_name).and_return(:value)
         gate.stub(:aasm_guess_enum_method).and_return(:values)
       end
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
     context "when AASM enum setting is not enabled" do
       before :each do
         AASM::StateMachine[Gate].config.stub(:enum).and_return(nil)
-        Gate.stub(:aasm_column).and_return(:value)
+        Gate.aasm.stub(:attribute_name).and_return(:value)
       end
 
       context "when AASM column looks like enum" do
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
           gate.aasm_write_state state_sym
 
           expect(obj).to have_received(:update_all)
-            .with(Hash[gate.class.aasm_column, state_code])
+            .with(Hash[gate.class.aasm.attribute_name, state_code])
         end
       end
 
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ describe "instance methods" do
     expect(gate.aasm.current_state).to eq(:closed)
   end
 
-  it "should return the aasm column when not new and the aasm_column is not nil" do
+  it "should return the aasm column when not new and the aasm.attribute_name is not nil" do
     allow(gate).to receive(:new_record?).and_return(false)
     gate.aasm_state = "state"
     expect(gate.aasm.current_state).to eq(:state)
@@ -293,8 +293,8 @@ describe 'subclasses' do
   end
 
   it "should have the same column as its parent even for the new dsl" do
-    expect(SimpleNewDsl.aasm_column).to eq(:status)
-    expect(DerivateNewDsl.aasm_column).to eq(:status)
+    expect(SimpleNewDsl.aasm.attribute_name).to eq(:status)
+    expect(DerivateNewDsl.aasm.attribute_name).to eq(:status)
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/spec/unit/persistence/sequel_persistence_spec.rb b/spec/unit/persistence/sequel_persistence_spec.rb
index e62fdc7..a447f75 100644
--- a/spec/unit/persistence/sequel_persistence_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/persistence/sequel_persistence_spec.rb
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ describe 'sequel' do
       end
 
       it "should have the same column as its parent even for the new dsl" do
-        expect(@model.aasm_column).to eq(:status)
-        expect(Class.new(@model).aasm_column).to eq(:status)
+        expect(@model.aasm.attribute_name).to eq(:status)
+        expect(Class.new(@model).aasm.attribute_name).to eq(:status)
       end
     end