468 Newborns in Peru Named After Haaland Amid World Cup

According to Peru's national registry, 468 newborns have been named after Norwegian striker Erling Haaland during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. This trend is attributed to Haaland's remarkable performance, where he scored seven goals in four matches, leading Norway to the quarter-finals for the first time in the country's history.

The surge in namesakes began as Haaland's success captured the attention of Peruvian parents, with Ivan Torr, a spokesperson, noting that football stars often inspire naming choices. The popularity of Haaland's name follows a pattern seen with other football icons, as 3,402 Peruvians bear the name Messi, including 292 with the full name Lionel Messi, and 1,185 named after Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The trend of naming children after football stars has become increasingly common in Peru, reflecting the cultural impact of the sport.