Norway striker Erling Haaland’s sensational 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has sparked an extraordinary naming trend in Peru, with more than 550 newborns being named after the Manchester City forward following his standout performances.
According to Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), 468 babies have been registered with the name “Haaland”, 91 with “Erling Haaland”, and four with his full name, Erling Braut Haaland.
The surge came as Haaland inspired Norway to a historic World Cup run, scoring seven goals and helping his country reach the quarter-finals for the first time. RENIEC spokesperson Iván Torres said football stars have long influenced naming trends in Peru, with registrations bearing Haaland’s name rising sharply after the tournament began. He jokingly remarked that “Haaland is also Peruvian.”
Football-inspired names are already common in Peru. Official registry data shows thousands of Peruvians named after global stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, and Neymar, highlighting the sport’s deep cultural influence in the South American nation. The latest Haaland-inspired baby boom has prompted humorous reactions online, with fans joking that Peru could one day produce its own “Erling Haaland.”
