468 Peruvian newborns named Haaland after Norway star's World Cup run

Published Jul 10, 10:10 PM UTC

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According to Peru's civil registry, 468 newborns have been named Haaland and 91 bear the full name Erling Haaland, inspired by Norwegian star striker Erling Haaland's performance in the 2026 World Cup. The naming surge occurred after Norway's historic victory over Brazil and qualification for the quarterfinals against England. Civil registry spokesman Ivan Torres noted that great football stars inspire Peruvian parents to register children with catchy names. The trend follows previous naming booms for Messi (3,402), Cristiano Ronaldo (1,185), Lamine Yamal (1,241), and Neymar (33,809) in Peru.

Source report

According to Peru's civil registry, Erling Haaland has gained a remarkable following in the South American country, with 468 newborns now bearing the surname of the Norwegian striker.

Many Peruvian football fans have named their newborns after the Norwegian star forward Erling Haaland, ahead of his team's 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against England, scheduled for Saturday in Miami. The 25-year-old player has already scored seven goals in four matches since the start of the tournament and notably helped Norway secure a historic victory over Brazil to qualify.

His admirers in Peru have gone so far as to give his name to their children. According to the civil registry:

468 newborns now bear the surname Haaland
91 infants carry the full name Erling Haaland

"Great football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with catchy and famous first names," civil registry spokesman Ivan Torres commented Friday on Panamericana Televisión.

Peru Fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and... Neymar

Most Peruvian newborns named in tribute to Erling Haaland were registered in the days following the start of the World Cup, Mr. Torres emphasized, with numbers exploding when Norway qualified for the quarterfinals. "Haaland is also Peruvian," he said.

Football fever has inspired new parents in Peru before. Historical data shows:

3,402 people named Messi — including 292 bearing the full name Lionel Messi
1,185 namesakes for Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo
1,241 people named Yamal, in tribute to Spanish player Lamine Yamal
33,809 people bearing the name of Brazilian star Neymar

Related Coverage:

Norway-England: "We have to enjoy these moments because nothing lasts forever," says Haaland
2026 World Cup: "They are good guys, not assholes with oversized egos" — Hakon Grottland on Norwegian football's success

Dossier: Erling Haaland

2026 World Cup: After sick players, a hotel problem for Norway before England match
Transfer Market: Haaland to Real? His father's enigmatic statement
Ivory Coast-Norway: What time and on which TV channel to watch the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match?

Source: AFP

Content shown outside its original language is machine translated; summaries may also be condensed.

Source

Home Football - actualitésWestern

Original headline: Coupe du monde 2026: des centaines de petits Péruviens ont été prénommés Haaland

Original language: FR

Part of this Story

Peruvian Parents Name Hundreds of Newborns After Erling Haaland After 2026 World Cup

See the full Story: all sources and camp coverage

People and interests

Erling Haaland Peru Norway Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Lamine Yamal Neymar