Melanie Ann Convery and Neal James Coughlin of Holyoke, Massachusetts, have petitioned to have their middle names changed to, er... "Seamonster".

Mrs Convery thought nobody would even notice the bizarre request but it was published in a local newspaper which her grandmother happened to read.

The couple has made the request in a legal notice published in The Republican newspaper of Springfield as required by state law. A hearing on the request is scheduled for later today (July 30th) in Hampden Probate and Family Court.

The couple gave no indication as to why they wanted the legendary creatures to be included in their names.

"Despite our crazy/flashy new middle names, my husband and I are pretty private," Convery said on Twitter.

While objections are allowed, Massachusetts General Laws state: "The change of name of a person shall be granted unless such change is inconsistent with public interests."