World Cup drives surge in babies named after football stars

Across several Latin American countries, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked a noticeable trend of parents registering newborns with the names of prominent footballers. In Mexico, a family reportedly listed their daughter as Quiñona Ysisidra Morita Haaland, citing Mexican forwards Gilberto Mora, Julián Quiñones and Norway’s Erling Haaland, though authorities have not verified the record. In the Mexican state of Coahuila, civil‑registry officials confirmed at least 30 babies have been given names such as Lionel, Harry, Neymar, Ronaldo and Kylian during the tournament. Argentine civil‑registry data showed a similar pattern, with popular choices including Enzo, Julián, Lionel and combinations like “Lionel Enzo Julián.” Peru’s civil registry reported roughly 30,000 people already bearing the surnames of football icons such as Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo, reflecting the broader cultural impact of the competition. Officials note that while parents have the right to choose any name, registrars sometimes advise against overly unusual or hard‑to‑spell options.