Hundreds of Newborns in Peru Named After Erling Haaland Amid World Cup Surge

The influence of Norwegian football star Erling Haaland in 2026 has extended beyond the pitch to Peru, where his impressive performances have inspired hundreds of families to name their newborns after him. This trend highlights the striker’s significant popularity during the ongoing World Cup tournament.

On Friday, Peru’s National Civil Registry announced that hundreds of infants have been registered with the name Haaland as a tribute to the forward who led Norway to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the country’s history.

Haaland’s Exceptional World Cup Performance

The Manchester City striker has established himself as one of the standout players in the current World Cup edition, scoring seven goals across four matches. His efforts propelled Norway to a historic quarterfinal appearance following a 2-1 victory, setting up a highly anticipated clash with England.

This remarkable performance has sparked widespread admiration in Peru. The civil registry revealed that 468 individuals bear the surname Haaland, while 91 children have been registered with the full name Erling Haaland.

Ivan Torres, a spokesperson for the registry, told Panamericana TV, “Several football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians when naming their children.” He noted that most of these new registrations occurred in the weeks following the World Cup’s start, with a noticeable increase after Norway’s success in reaching the quarterfinal stage.

Torres added with a touch of humor, “Haaland has become Peruvian as well.”

Historical Football Naming Trends in Peru

This is not the first time football enthusiasm has influenced newborn names in Peru. Thousands of families have previously named their children after prominent football stars.

According to civil registry data, 3,402 individuals carry the surname of the Argentine star Lionel Messi, including 292 who have his full name. Additionally, 1,185 Peruvians bear the surname of Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo, while 1,241 are named after the rising Spanish talent, Jamal Lamine.

The Brazilian star Neymar holds the most widespread presence among these names, with 33,809 people across Peru registered with his name.

These figures demonstrate that the impact of football stars extends beyond stadiums and crowds, influencing everyday life by inspiring some children from the moment their names are officially recorded.