Erling Haaland Inspires Hundreds of Baby Names in Peru Amidst World Cup Frenzy

Erling Haaland's impact extends beyond the soccer field, influencing baby names in Peru. The National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec) reported 593 Peruvians named Erling Haaland, with registrations increasing during the 2026 World Cup. This surge includes 4 registered as Erling Braut Haaland, 91 as Erling Haaland, and 468 solely as Haaland.

Peruvian legislation allows for the registration of children with names inspired by athletes and celebrities, as long as they do not infringe on fundamental rights. Reniec spokesperson Iván Torres confirmed that the registry cannot prevent such inscriptions. This has led to a variety of unique names appearing in civil records.

Despite Haaland's growing popularity, established football stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar continue to dominate the list of most popular names. Reniec data shows tens of thousands of Peruvians registered with these names. The registry also noted uncommon cases, such as a citizen named 'Bicho,' Cristiano Ronaldo's nickname in Portugal, and three individuals named 'Mundial.'

Younger football stars are also making their mark on Peruvian birth certificates. Names like Endrick, Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Mohamed Salah, Pedri, Rodri, Harry Kane, and Rodrigo de Paul have been registered. Kylian Mbappé's name also appears in national records, though specific numbers were not provided. The enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup is clearly reflected in these naming trends.

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Peruvian law allows citizens to register babies with names inspired by athletes, celebrities, or other terms, as long as they do not violate fundamental rights. Therefore, Reniec cannot prevent these types of registrations.