Norwegian star Haaland inspires baby naming boom in Peru during World Cup

15 July 2026 · Source balance: Centre

Erling Haaland's impressive performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have sparked an unusual cultural phenomenon in Peru. According to Peru's National Registry of Identification and Civil Status, more than 500 newborn babies have been named after the Norwegian Manchester City striker. The figures show 468 children registered with the name Haaland and 91 with his full name, Erling Haaland. The naming trend surged after Norway's historic quarter-final run, especially following Haaland's decisive two-goal performance that knocked out Brazil in the Round of 16. Despite Peru not qualifying for the tournament, the striker's goal-scoring prowess and global visibility captured the imagination of fans across the country. Registry officials note this continues a long tradition in Peru where international football stars inspire baby names, with prior trends including thousands named Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo.