Hundreds of Peruvian parents have chosen to name their newborns after Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland. According to Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status, 468 babies were registered with the surname “Haaland,” while another 91 received the full name “Erling Haaland” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Unique Tradition
This phenomenon is part of a unique Peruvian tradition where parents name their children after famous soccer players. More than 33,800 Peruvians are named after Brazilian soccer star Neymar, while over 3,400 carry the name of Argentinian legend Messi.
Erling Haaland’s name has become the latest addition to this tradition, with his name meaning “descendant of a nobleman” in Old Norse. Peruvian parents have broad discretion in naming their children, with names generally permitted as long as they are not offensive.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
