World Cup Fever Sweeps Latin America: Babies Named After Football Stars

The fervor of the World Cup is translating into naming trends across Latin America, with a new generation of children being christened with the names of football's biggest stars. In Peru, a wave of babies are being named Haaland, inspired by the Norwegian sensation. Similarly, in Argentina, the name Lionel has surged in popularity, driven by the admiration for Messi. Mexico has also seen notable cases, including a child named in honor of three footballers.

Peruvian civil registry spokesperson Iván Torres noted that hundreds of newborns have been named after stars like Haaland. He humorously remarked, "Haaland is also Peruvian," reflecting the intense fan passion. Names of established icons such as Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo each have around 30,000 registrations in Peru. This phenomenon extends beyond national loyalties, as many Latin Americans, whose teams were eliminated or did not compete, have adopted teams like Norway, drawn by Haaland's performance and the "Viking" spirit.

A birth certificate from Mexico went viral, showing a baby girl named Quiñona Ysisidra Morita Haaland Guevara. This name is a nod to Mexican stars Julián Quiñones and Gilberto Mora, as well as the Norwegian striker. While the authenticity of the certificate was not immediately confirmed by Mexico's Ministry of the Interior, "Ysisidra" is a play on the optimistic phrase "¿Y si sí?" (What if yes?), a chant popular among Mexican fans.

Haaland's appeal extends beyond his goal-scoring prowess, which placed him among the top scorers behind Messi and Mbappé. His training habits, personal story, and choice to represent Norway despite being born in England have captivated fans. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played in the 1994 World Cup, and his mother was a national heptathlon champion. In Argentina, names like Enzo, Emiliano, and Lionel topped the list of most chosen male names in Salta province in the week before the final, mirroring the widespread admiration for the national team players following their 2022 World Cup victory.