Haaland craze sweeps Peru: Hundreds of babies named after Norwegian star

The impressive performance of Erling Haaland in the World Cup has transcended athletic achievements, sparking an unexpected social phenomenon in Peru. The Manchester City star has captivated fans globally, and his influence is now evident in the naming choices for newborns.

Official records from Peru's National Registry reveal that hundreds of families have chosen the 25-year-old striker's surname as a name for their children. Specifically, 468 newborns were registered with the name "Haaland," while an additional 91 children received the full name "Erling Haaland." The peak in naming requests occurred after the World Cup commenced, with interest surging particularly when Norway secured a spot among the top eight teams.

Haaland has been a standout player for Norway, scoring seven goals in four matches, including a notable performance against Brazil. Ivan Torres, a spokesperson for the national registry, commented on the trend to Panamericana Television. "Various football stars have always been a great source of inspiration for Peruvians when it comes to choosing names for children," Torres said. "With Norway's success in the tournament, the numbers have simply skyrocketed. We can jokingly say that Haaland is now also Peruvian."

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Various football stars have always been a great source of inspiration for Peruvians when it comes to choosing names for children. With Norway's success in the tournament, the numbers have simply skyrocketed. We can jokingly say that Haaland is now also Peruvian.