diff --git a/glcontext/__init__.py b/glcontext/__init__.py
index 8f7bd29..1b3e762 100644
--- a/glcontext/__init__.py
+++ b/glcontext/__init__.py
@@ -3,21 +3,11 @@
 __version__ = '2.3.7'
 
 
-def default_backend():
-    """Get default backend based on the detected platform.
-    Supports detecting an existing context and standalone contexts.
-    If no context if found for the platform we return the linux backend.
-
-    Example::
-
-        # Get the available backend
-        backend = get_default_backend(standalone=False/True)
-        # Create an opengl 3.3 context or detect the currently active
-        # context requiring at least opengl 3.3 support.
-        ctx = backend(330)
+def get_default_backend_name():
+    """Get the default backend name based on the detected platform.
 
     Returns:
-        A backend object for creating and/or detecting context
+        str: The name of the default backend ('wgl', 'x11', or 'darwin')
     """
     PLATFORMS = {'windows', 'linux', 'darwin'}
 
@@ -32,23 +22,52 @@ def default_backend():
         target = 'linux'
 
     if target == 'windows':
-        return _wgl()
+        return 'wgl'
 
     if target == 'linux':
-        return _x11()
+        return 'x11'
 
     if target == 'darwin':
-        return _darwin()
+        return 'darwin'
 
     raise ValueError("Cannot find suitable default backend")
 
 
+def default_backend():
+    """Get default backend based on the detected platform.
+    Supports detecting an existing context and standalone contexts.
+    If no context if found for the platform we return the linux backend.
+
+    Example::
+
+        # Get the available backend
+        backend = get_default_backend(standalone=False/True)
+        # Create an opengl 3.3 context or detect the currently active
+        # context requiring at least opengl 3.3 support.
+        ctx = backend(330)
+
+    Returns:
+        A backend object for creating and/or detecting context
+    """
+    return get_backend_by_name(get_default_backend_name())
+
+
 def get_backend_by_name(name: str):
     """Request a specific backend by name"""
-    if name == 'egl':
-        return _egl()
-
-    raise ValueError("Cannot find supported backend: '{}'".format(name))
+    BACKENDS = {
+        'wgl': _wgl,
+        'x11': _x11,
+        'darwin': _darwin,
+        'egl': _egl,
+    }
+
+    backend = BACKENDS.get(name)
+    if backend:
+        return backend()
+
+    raise ValueError("Cannot find supported backend: '{}'. Supported backends: {}".format(
+        name, ', '.join(BACKENDS.keys())
+    ))
 
 
 def _wgl():