Peruvian football fans have named hundreds of newborn babies after Norway striker Erling Haaland as his impressive performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to captivate supporters across the globe.
According to Peru’s national identity registry, 468 newborns now bear Haaland’s surname, while another 91 have been registered with the full name Erling Haaland, the SUN reports on Monday
The surge comes as the 25-year-old striker enjoys a sensational World Cup campaign, scoring seven goals in four matches and helping Norway reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
Haaland scored both goals in Norway’s historic victory over Brazil to book a last-eight clash with England.
Registry spokesperson Ivan Torres said football stars often inspire Peruvian parents when naming their children.
“Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names,” Torres told Panamericana Television.
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He added that most of the babies named after Haaland were registered after the start of the World Cup, with the figures rising sharply following Norway’s progression to the quarter-finals.
“Haaland is also Peruvian,” he joked.
Football-inspired names have become increasingly common in Peru over the years.
Registry data shows that 3,402 Peruvians bear the name Messi, including 292 with the full name Lionel Messi.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has 1,185 namesakes in the country, while 1,241 people are named Yamal after Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Brazil forward Neymar remains the most popular football-inspired name, with 33,809 Peruvians bearing his name.
Samuel Omotere is an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. He combines his background as a language graduate with a focus on sustainable digital storytelling.
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Source: The Punch
