The iceberg, at present known by the codename C19A, is the subject of a competition set by the Scott Polar Research Institute and judged by Jacqueline Wilson, the bestselling children's author and former children's laureate.

Children aged between 3 and 12 are invited to suggest a name that will be adopted by the United States National Ice Centre, which tracks icebergs using satellite technology. It will be the first time that an iceberg will be referred to by anything other than its number and co-ordinates.

The competition will open on May 22 to coincide with the Hay Festival, where the judging will take place. The winner will be kept informed of the iceberg's movements and receive satellite images showing its progress through the southern oceans.

Julian Dowdeswell, director of the institute, based at the University of Cambridge, said that the iceberg was one of the world's largest and was notorious among scientists at the American research centre at McMurdo Station, in the Antarctic, because it was an obstacle for its supply ships.

It was created in May 2002 when it broke away from the Ross ice shelf. It was 2,480 sq miles (6,420 sq km) but has shrunk to 1,985 sq miles, making it larger than Northumberland.

Professor Dowdeswell said that unlike a growler, an iceberg too small to be detected in rough weather, C19A was unlikely to damage a ship. “Big icebergs like this one are called tabular icebergs. They look from a distance like tables. They have sheer cliffs on their margins of about 30 to 40 metres in height and they will go about 300 to 350 metres below the water.”

Icebergs this big are created every three to five years. Scientists need to monitor them to enhance their understanding of climate change.

Witty and original names, avoiding those of living people, can be submitted to hayfestival.com/iceberg. The winner will be announced on May 30.

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