The FIFA World Cup has sparked an unusual baby-naming trend across Latin America, with parents naming newborns after some of football's biggest stars, including Norway's Erling Haaland, Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Neymar.
According to Peru's National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), hundreds of babies have recently been registered with the name Haaland, despite Peru failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
"Haaland is now Peruvian too," RENIEC spokesperson Ivan Torres told local broadcaster Panamericana TV, adding that one newborn was even named "Mundial", the Spanish word commonly used for the World Cup.
The popularity of Haaland has surged as Norway's historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals won the Scandinavian side millions of new supporters across Latin America, where many fans whose own national teams were eliminated looked for a new team to support.
Long-established football legends continue to influence parents as well. Torres said approximately 30,000 Peruvians already carry names inspired by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mexico, Argentina join naming trend
In Mexico, social media users widely shared an image of a birth certificate showing a baby girl named Quiñona Ysisidra Morita Haaland Guevara — a combination referencing Mexican footballers Julián Quiñones and Gilberto Mora, along with Erling Haaland.
The unusual middle name Ysisidra is a play on the Spanish phrase "¿Y si sí?" ("What if?"), a slogan adopted by Mexican fans during the World Cup before the team was eliminated by England in the Round of 16.
Mexican authorities have not officially verified the authenticity of the birth certificate.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, local officials in Salta province reported that Enzo, Emiliano and Lionel became the most popular boys' names in the lead-up to Sunday's World Cup final.
The names pay tribute to Argentina captain Lionel Messi, midfielder Enzo Fernandez and goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez, whose performances have helped Argentina reach another World Cup final.
Experts warn trend may have lasting impact
Parenting podcast host Fabiola Molina said naming children after football stars is a long-standing tradition across Latin America dating back to Diego Maradona's famous 1986 World Cup campaign.
"A few years ago, when the Backstreet Boys were popular, many women named their sons Kevin and Brian," Molina said.
She added, however, that such names may create unrealistic expectations for children later in life.
"Just because your name is Messi or Lionel doesn't mean you'll become a great footballer. Your destiny isn't determined by your name," she said.
The naming trend reflects the emotional connection football continues to inspire across Latin America, where the World Cup remains one of the region's most influential cultural events.
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