Baby Haaland in Peru: Newborns Take Names of World Cup Stars
RENIEC said 468 babies got Haaland as a surname and 91 received his full name as Norway’s World Cup run inspired parents.
- During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, parents across Peru registered 468 newborns with the surname Haaland, while 91 babies received the full name Erling Haaland as Norway reached its deepest tournament run.
- National Registry of Identification and Civil Status spokesperson Ivan Torres told Panamericana Television that Peru gives parents broad naming discretion, making the phenomenon unsurprising given Peru did not qualify for this year's World Cup.
- Pronounced "AIR-ling HAW-lahn," the name Erling is an Old Norse name meaning "descendant of a nobleman," rather than the "ER-ling HAW-land" pronunciation commonly heard in English language broadcasts.
- More than 33,800 Peruvians are named after Brazilian soccer star Neymar, while more than 3,400 carry the name of Argentinian legend Messi, alongside more than 1,100 for Cristiano Ronaldo and over 1,200 for Lamine Yamal.
- Haaland has become a global sensation, reaching fans in China where supporters affectionately call him "Baby Ha," cementing his status as one of the tournament's biggest international stars.
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The phenomenon of first names inspired by the 2026 World Cup footballers is growing in Peru. More than 468 newborns bear the name Haaland and hundreds of parents give their newborns the names...
FIFA World Cup 2026: Haaland, Messi mania hits Peru as parents name babies after stars
In Peru, there is a wave of new baby Haalands. In Argentina, Lionel has raced up the rankings, and in Mexico a girl was reportedly named after three soccer players. Parents in Latin America are already christening a new generation of babies after the stars of the World Cup.
In Peru, Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo each have about 30,000 records; hundreds of newborns were also named Haaland in honor of the Norwegian scorer.
Baby Haaland in Peru: newborns take names of World Cup stars
By Sarah Morland MEXICO CITY, July 17 (Reuters) - In Peru, there is a wave of new baby Haalands. In Argentina, Lionel has raced up the rankings, and in Mexico a girl was reportedly named after three soccer players. Parents in Latin America are already...
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Hundreds of Peruvian parents are naming their babies after soccer star Erling Haaland
In Peru, 468 newborns were registered as “Haaland,” while another 91 were given the full name “Erling Haaland” during the tournament.
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