Haaland inspires hundreds of baby names in Peru and Brazil during World Cup

Peru’s civil registry reported that more than 560 newborns were given names inspired by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Of these, 468 children received the surname "Haaland" and 91 were registered with the full name "Erling Haaland". The trend mirrors a broader pattern of football idols influencing baby names in the country, with thousands already bearing names such as Neymar, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In Brazil’s northeastern state of Pernambuco, 49 babies were registered with the name Haaland over the same period, reflecting the striker’s popularity across South America. The Brazilian civil registry also noted similar naming surges for other stars, including 33,809 children named Neymar and 3,402 named Messi.

The phenomenon highlights the cultural impact of the World Cup, where fans honor their sporting heroes by embedding their names in the next generation.