While Erling Haaland was putting Norway through to their deepest-ever World Cup run, parents across Peru were doing something he almost certainly didn't anticipate: putting his name on birth certificates.
According to Peru's National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), 468 newborns were registered with the surname "Haaland" during the 2026 tournament. Another 91 received the full name "Erling Haaland." The surge accelerated specifically as Norway pushed into the quarterfinals — meaning the deeper the run, the more paperwork piling up in Lima.
A very Peruvian tradition
This isn't a quirk. It's a pattern. Peru didn't qualify for this World Cup, and Haaland has never played a minute of football on South American soil. None of that matters. RENIEC spokesperson Ivan Torres told Panamericana Television plainly: "Different football stars serve as inspiration for Peruvians to register their children with these names."
The numbers back him up. More than 33,800 Peruvians carry the name Neymar. Over 3,400 are named Messi — hundreds of them with "Lionel Messi" as their full legal first and middle name combination. Cristiano Ronaldo has generated more than 1,100 namesakes. Lamine Yamal, who only broke through recently, has already lent his surname to over 1,200 Peruvians.
Haaland is a 25-year-old striker who has just cleared 559 namesakes in a single tournament. He's on pace to rival them all if Norway keep advancing in future competitions.
What the name actually means
"Erling" comes from Old Norse — it translates roughly as "descendant of a nobleman." For a player who has spent the last few years systematically dismantling Premier League defenses and now doing the same on the World Cup stage, the etymology fits better than most marketing copy could manage.
Peru's laws give parents wide discretion in naming children, with RENIEC blocking names only if they're considered offensive. "Haaland" clears that bar comfortably.
- 468 newborns registered with the surname "Haaland" during the 2026 World Cup
- 91 babies given the full name "Erling Haaland"
- 33,800+ Peruvians named after Neymar
- 3,400+ named Messi, including hundreds with "Lionel Messi" as full legal name
- 1,200+ Peruvians carry the surname Yamal
Norway's run is already historic. For 559 Peruvian families, it's also permanently on record.
