Over 500 Peruvian babies named after Norwegian soccer star Haaland after legendary World Cup run

Norwegian soccer sensation Erling Haaland has inspired a naming trend in Peru, with over 500 babies named after the star forward in the weeks since the FIFA World Cup began. Data from Peru's National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec) shows that 486 children were registered as "Haaland" and 91 were given the full name "Erling Haaland."

Haaland's performance in the World Cup, where he scored seven goals, captured the hearts of fans globally. His popularity in Peru reached new heights, with online commentary often joking about his imposing size and "Viking"-like presence combined with a "golden retriever" personality.

Peruvians have a strong tradition of naming children after football icons. The registry also lists 3,402 individuals named after Lionel Messi, 1,185 after Cristiano Ronaldo, and a significant 33,809 named after Neymar. Registry spokesperson Ivan Torres noted that "different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names."

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Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names.