import keyword


def force_to_valid_python_variable_name(old_name):
    """Valid c++ names are not always valid in python, so
    provide alternate naming

    >>> force_to_valid_python_variable_name('lambda')
    'opt_lambda'
    >>> force_to_valid_python_variable_name('inputVolume')
    'inputVolume'
    """
    new_name = old_name.strip()
    if new_name in keyword.kwlist:
        return f"opt_{new_name}"
    else:
        return new_name