Norway striker Erling Haaland’s remarkable performances at the FIFA World Cup have inspired hundreds of Peruvian parents to name their newborn children after the prolific forward.
According to Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), 468 children now carry the surname Haaland, while another 91 have been registered with the full name Erling Haaland.
The surge in registrations has coincided with Norway’s impressive run to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face England on Saturday.
Haaland has become one of the tournament’s standout performers, scoring seven goals in four matches, including both goals in Norway’s historic victory over Brazil to secure their first-ever place in the last eight.
RENIEC spokesman Iván Torres said football stars have increasingly become a source of inspiration for parents choosing names for their children.
“Different football stars inspire Peruvians when registering their children,” Torres told local broadcaster Panamericana Television.
He revealed that registrations bearing Haaland’s name rose sharply after the tournament began and increased further as Norway progressed to the quarter-finals.
“Haaland is also Peruvian,” Torres joked.
Football-inspired names have become increasingly common in Peru.
Official records show that 3,402 Peruvians are named Messi, including 292 who bear the full name Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired 1,185 namesakes, while 1,241 Peruvians have been named Yamal after Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Brazilian star Neymar remains the country’s most popular football namesake, with 33,809 Peruvians carrying his name.
