diff --git a/openmc/model/funcs.py b/openmc/model/funcs.py
index e0aabc872..1912b4215 100644
--- a/openmc/model/funcs.py
+++ b/openmc/model/funcs.py
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ def subdivide(surfaces):
 
 
 def pin(surfaces, materials, subdivisions=None, divide_vols=True,
-        universe_id=None, name=""):
+        **kwargs):
     """Convenience function for building a fuel pin
 
     Parameters
@@ -472,10 +472,9 @@ def pin(surfaces, materials, subdivisions=None, divide_vols=True,
         materials will also be divided by the number of divisions.
         Otherwise the volume of the original material will not be
         modified before subdivision
-    universe_id : None or int
-        Identifier for this universe
-    name : str
-        Name for this universe
+    kwargs:
+        Additional key-word arguments to be passed to
+        :class:`openmc.Universe`, like ``name="Fuel pin"``
 
     Returns
     -------
@@ -483,6 +482,9 @@ def pin(surfaces, materials, subdivisions=None, divide_vols=True,
         Universe of concentric cylinders filled with the desired
         materials
     """
+    if "cells" in kwargs:
+        raise SyntaxError(
+            "Cells will be set by this function, not from input arguments.")
     check_type("materials",  materials, Iterable, Material)
     check_length("surfaces", surfaces, len(materials) - 1, len(materials) - 1)
     # Check that all surfaces are of similar orientation
@@ -573,4 +575,4 @@ def pin(surfaces, materials, subdivisions=None, divide_vols=True,
     # Build the universe
     regions = subdivide(surfaces)
     cells = [Cell(fill=f, region=r) for r, f in zip(regions, materials)]
-    return Universe(universe_id=universe_id, name=name, cells=cells)
+    return Universe(cells=cells, **kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_pin.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_pin.py
index 9a4fd19c2..391ed816a 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_pin.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_pin.py
@@ -61,14 +61,19 @@ def test_failure(pin_mats, good_radii):
     with pytest.raises(TypeError, match="surfaces"):
         pin(surfs, pin_mats)
 
+    # Passing cells argument
+    with pytest.raises(SyntaxError, match="Cells"):
+        pin(surfs, pin_mats, cells=[])
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "surf_type", [openmc.ZCylinder, openmc.XCylinder, openmc.YCylinder])
 def test_subdivide(pin_mats, good_radii, surf_type):
     """Test the subdivision with various orientations"""
     surfs = [surf_type(r=r) for r in good_radii]
-    fresh = pin(surfs, pin_mats)
+    fresh = pin(surfs, pin_mats, name="fresh pin")
     assert len(fresh.cells) == len(pin_mats)
+    assert fresh.name == "fresh pin"
 
     # subdivide inner region
     N = 5