diff --git a/django/db/models/base.py b/django/db/models/base.py
index 1096a58b22..33c562138a 100644
--- a/django/db/models/base.py
+++ b/django/db/models/base.py
@@ -1265,7 +1265,11 @@ class Model(six.with_metaclass(ModelBase)):
             errors.extend(cls._check_fields(**kwargs))
             errors.extend(cls._check_m2m_through_same_relationship())
             errors.extend(cls._check_long_column_names())
-            clash_errors = cls._check_id_field() + cls._check_field_name_clashes()
+            clash_errors = (
+                cls._check_id_field() +
+                cls._check_field_name_clashes() +
+                cls._check_model_name_db_lookup_clashes()
+            )
             errors.extend(clash_errors)
             # If there are field name clashes, hide consequent column name
             # clashes.
@@ -1469,6 +1473,30 @@ class Model(six.with_metaclass(ModelBase)):
 
         return errors
 
+    @classmethod
+    def _check_model_name_db_lookup_clashes(cls):
+        errors = []
+        model_name = cls.__name__
+        if model_name.startswith('_') or model_name.endswith('_'):
+            errors.append(
+                checks.Error(
+                    "The model name '%s' cannot start or end with an underscore "
+                    "as it collides with the query lookup syntax." % model_name,
+                    obj=cls,
+                    id='models.E023'
+                )
+            )
+        elif LOOKUP_SEP in model_name:
+            errors.append(
+                checks.Error(
+                    "The model name '%s' cannot contain double underscores as "
+                    "it collides with the query lookup syntax." % model_name,
+                    obj=cls,
+                    id='models.E024'
+                )
+            )
+        return errors
+
     @classmethod
     def _check_index_together(cls):
         """ Check the value of "index_together" option. """
diff --git a/docs/ref/checks.txt b/docs/ref/checks.txt
index 638f9af564..a3c659aad5 100644
--- a/docs/ref/checks.txt
+++ b/docs/ref/checks.txt
@@ -141,6 +141,10 @@ Models
 * **models.E022**: ``<function>`` contains a lazy reference to
   ``<app label>.<model>``, but app ``<app label>`` isn't installed or
   doesn't provide model ``<model>``.
+* **models.E023**: The model name ``<model>`` cannot start or end with an
+  underscore as it collides with the query lookup syntax.
+* **models.E024**: The model name ``<model>`` cannot contain double underscores
+  as it collides with the query lookup syntax.
 
 Fields
 ~~~~~~
diff --git a/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_models.py b/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_models.py
index 1d27e98faa..b50b265bd4 100644
--- a/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_models.py
+++ b/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_models.py
@@ -689,6 +689,45 @@ class OtherModelTests(SimpleTestCase):
 
         self.assertFalse(Child.check())
 
+    def test_name_beginning_with_underscore(self):
+        class _Model(models.Model):
+            pass
+
+        self.assertEqual(_Model.check(), [
+            Error(
+                "The model name '_Model' cannot start or end with an underscore "
+                "as it collides with the query lookup syntax.",
+                obj=_Model,
+                id='models.E023',
+            )
+        ])
+
+    def test_name_ending_with_underscore(self):
+        class Model_(models.Model):
+            pass
+
+        self.assertEqual(Model_.check(), [
+            Error(
+                "The model name 'Model_' cannot start or end with an underscore "
+                "as it collides with the query lookup syntax.",
+                obj=Model_,
+                id='models.E023',
+            )
+        ])
+
+    def test_name_contains_double_underscores(self):
+        class Test__Model(models.Model):
+            pass
+
+        self.assertEqual(Test__Model.check(), [
+            Error(
+                "The model name 'Test__Model' cannot contain double underscores "
+                "as it collides with the query lookup syntax.",
+                obj=Test__Model,
+                id='models.E024',
+            )
+        ])
+
     @override_settings(TEST_SWAPPED_MODEL_BAD_VALUE='not-a-model')
     def test_swappable_missing_app_name(self):
         class Model(models.Model):
diff --git a/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_relative_fields.py b/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_relative_fields.py
index d178d6936e..7c20a0fb99 100644
--- a/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_relative_fields.py
+++ b/tests/invalid_models_tests/test_relative_fields.py
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ class RelativeFieldTests(SimpleTestCase):
             pass
 
         for related_name in related_names:
-            Child = type(str('Child_%s') % str(related_name), (models.Model,), {
+            Child = type(str('Child%s') % str(related_name), (models.Model,), {
                 'parent': models.ForeignKey('Parent', models.CASCADE, related_name=related_name),
                 '__module__': Parent.__module__,
             })