Global Football Stars Inspire Baby Names Across South America

A unique trend is sweeping across South America as parents increasingly name their children after globally renowned football stars, particularly in the lead-up to the World Cup. Names like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi have become top choices for newborns in several countries.

In Ecuador, the Brazilian star Neymar leads the pack, with 3,847 children registered under his name, according to civil registry data. This surpasses Mbappe, who recorded over 2,800 registrations, and James Rodriguez, who ranked third with 2,136 names. Even football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have seen their names registered, with 1,549 and 1,006 instances respectively, alongside variations like Cristiano and Ronaldo.

The trend is mirrored in Colombia, where Kylian or Mbappe is the preferred choice among parents, with 836 names registered. Neymar follows with 269, and Cristiano or Ronaldo with 220, based on 2022 data. Brazil, Neymar's home country, also sees him as a popular choice, with 2,443 children named after him, making it one of the most popular names for the new generation. Kylian or Killian also saw over 400 uses.

Argentina experienced a notable increase in the name Lionel in 2023, following Messi's World Cup victory with the national team, though this trend has reportedly begun to decline. In Chile, one family garnered media attention for naming their children Griezmann Mbappe, a combination of two French football stars' names. Their other children also bear football-inspired names, such as James Modric and Leonel Messi.