UPDATE: Portland man named Avril Lavigne arrested on suspicion of not registering as a sex offender

A 30-year-old Portland man -- who in 2014 legally changed his name to that of a famous singer-songwriter -- is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender.

Police said Monday that Avril Ramona Lavigne, also known as Romany Yves Mesina, is likely homeless and that he is often seen around Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.

The man changed his name in November 2014, court records show. Avril Ramona Lavigne is the full name of the Canadian-born singer-songwriter and actress, who recorded the 2002 hits "Sk8er Boi" and "Complicated."

He was convicted of second-degree rape in 2009, Portland police said in a news release. They said he is posting pictures of young women and teen girls on social media and may also be following women and teen girls.

Lavigne is 5-6 and 130 pounds and has black hair.

Police ask anyone who sees Lavigne to call 9-1-1. They ask anyone who has non-emergency information about him to contact the police bureau's Sex Offender Registration Detail at sord@portlandoregon.gov.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015