Haaland Fever Sweeps Peru As Hundreds Of Newborns Receive Norwegian Star's Name
The remarkable performances of Norway striker Erling Haaland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have sparked a baby-naming trend in Peru, with hundreds of parents choosing his name for their newborns.
Data from Peru's national identity registry shows that 468 newborns have been registered with the surname "Haaland," while 91 babies have been given the full name "Erling Haaland."
The surge follows Haaland's outstanding displays at the tournament, where the 25-year-old has scored seven goals in four matches to inspire Norway's historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Haaland also netted both goals in Norway's memorable victory over Brazil, securing a place in the last eight against England and further boosting his popularity among football fans.
Registry spokesperson Ivan Torres said celebrated footballers have long influenced naming trends in Peru.
"Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians when naming their children," Torres said in an interview with Panamericana Television, adding jokingly, "Haaland is also Peruvian."
According to the registry, most of the babies bearing Haaland's name were registered after the World Cup began, with the numbers increasing significantly following Norway's qualification for the quarter-finals.
Football-inspired names remain a common tradition in Peru. Registry figures show that 3,402 Peruvians are named Messi, including 292 with the full name Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 1,185 namesakes, while 1,241 people bear the name Yamal in honour of Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Despite Haaland's growing influence, Brazil forward Neymar remains the country's most popular football-inspired name, with 33,809 Peruvians carrying his name.
Data from Peru's national identity registry shows that 468 newborns have been registered with the surname "Haaland," while 91 babies have been given the full name "Erling Haaland."
The surge follows Haaland's outstanding displays at the tournament, where the 25-year-old has scored seven goals in four matches to inspire Norway's historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Haaland also netted both goals in Norway's memorable victory over Brazil, securing a place in the last eight against England and further boosting his popularity among football fans.
Registry spokesperson Ivan Torres said celebrated footballers have long influenced naming trends in Peru.
"Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians when naming their children," Torres said in an interview with Panamericana Television, adding jokingly, "Haaland is also Peruvian."
According to the registry, most of the babies bearing Haaland's name were registered after the World Cup began, with the numbers increasing significantly following Norway's qualification for the quarter-finals.
Football-inspired names remain a common tradition in Peru. Registry figures show that 3,402 Peruvians are named Messi, including 292 with the full name Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 1,185 namesakes, while 1,241 people bear the name Yamal in honour of Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Despite Haaland's growing influence, Brazil forward Neymar remains the country's most popular football-inspired name, with 33,809 Peruvians carrying his name.
