Peruvian football fans are naming many newborns after Norway striker Erling Haaland. His great play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is exciting supporters everywhere.
Peru’s national identity registry says 468 newborns now carry Haaland’s surname. Another 91 babies have the full name Erling Haaland, according to the SUN on Monday.
This trend is happening as the 25-year-old striker shines in the World Cup. He has scored seven goals in four matches, helping Norway reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Haaland scored both goals in Norway’s big win over Brazil, which sent them to face England in the last eight.
Ivan Torres, a spokesperson for the registry, said football stars often inspire names for Peruvian children.
“Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names,” Torres told Panamericana Television.
He mentioned that most of the babies named after Haaland were registered after the World Cup started. The numbers jumped after Norway made it to the quarter-finals.
“Haaland is also Peruvian,” he joked.
In recent years, names inspired by football have become more common in Peru.
Registry data shows that 3,402 Peruvians have the name Messi. This includes 292 people with the full name Lionel Messi.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has 1,185 namesakes in Peru. Meanwhile, 1,241 people are named Yamal after Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal.
Brazil forward Neymar is still the most popular football-inspired name in Peru. A total of 33,809 Peruvians have his name.
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