diff --git a/IPython/core/usage.py b/IPython/core/usage.py
index c9069e8..ab237f8 100644
--- a/IPython/core/usage.py
+++ b/IPython/core/usage.py
@@ -446,10 +446,10 @@ Inline matplotlib graphics
 
 The IPython console is capable of displaying matplotlib figures inline, in SVG
 format.  If started with the ``--pylab inline`` flag, then all figures are
-rendered inline automatically.  If started with ``--pylab`` or ``--pylab
-<your backend>``, then a GUI backend will be used, but the ``paste()`` function
-is added to the global and ``plt`` namespaces.  You can paste any figure that
-is currently open in a window with this function; type ``paste?`` for
+rendered inline automatically.  If started with ``--pylab`` or ``--pylab <your
+backend>``, then a GUI backend will be used, but the ``pastefig()`` function is
+added to the global and ``plt`` namespaces.  You can paste any figure that is
+currently open in a window with this function; type ``pastefig?`` for
 additional details."""
 
 quick_guide = """\
diff --git a/IPython/lib/pylabtools.py b/IPython/lib/pylabtools.py
index 416f04e..3becc23 100644
--- a/IPython/lib/pylabtools.py
+++ b/IPython/lib/pylabtools.py
@@ -112,10 +112,10 @@ def import_pylab(user_ns, backend, import_all=True, shell=None):
             from IPython.zmq.pylab.backend_inline import flush_svg
             shell.register_post_execute(flush_svg)
         else:
-            from IPython.zmq.pylab.backend_inline import paste
+            from IPython.zmq.pylab.backend_inline import pastefig
             from matplotlib import pyplot
             # Add 'paste' to pyplot and to the user's namespace
-            user_ns['paste'] = pyplot.paste = paste
+            user_ns['pastefig'] = pyplot.pastefig = pastefig
 
     if import_all:
         exec("from matplotlib.pylab import *\n"
diff --git a/IPython/zmq/pylab/backend_inline.py b/IPython/zmq/pylab/backend_inline.py
index 9504572..9d14e2e 100644
--- a/IPython/zmq/pylab/backend_inline.py
+++ b/IPython/zmq/pylab/backend_inline.py
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ def show(close=True):
 show._draw_called = False
 
 
-def paste(*figs):
-    """Paste figures into the console workspace.
+def pastefig(*figs):
+    """Paste one or more figures into the console workspace.
 
     If no arguments are given, all available figures are pasted.  If the
     argument list contains references to invalid figures, a warning is printed