A UNITED STATES man has had an Awesome name change.

Douglas Allen Smith Jr from Oregon says he changed his name to Captain Awesome last month because he was inspired by the nickname of a character on the television show Chuck, Dr Devon "Captain Awesome" Woodcomb.

The unemployed cabinet installer says he found it funny Dr Woodcomb's father gave him that nickname because a "poor nickname builds good character".

The former Mr Smith says he faced a Lane County judge who questioned his seriousness.

The judge who granted the request made him swear he wasn't changing his name for fraudulent reasons.

Captain Awesome says that judge also allowed him to sign his name as a right arrow, a smiley face and a left arrow.

He says his bank, however, has refused to accept the signature because it could be forged too easily.