World Cup Stars Inspire Baby Names Across Latin America

Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as his name gains popularity among newborns in Latin America.

 World Cup Stars Inspire Baby Names Across Latin America

MEXICO CITY — July 17, 2026

Parents across Latin America are naming newborns after football stars following the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Norway's Erling Haaland emerging as one of the biggest inspirations.

Peru's civil registry said hundreds of babies have been named Haaland, while names linked to football icons such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo each have around 30,000 registrations. One Peruvian newborn was even named "Mundial," the Spanish word commonly used for the World Cup.

The trend has also spread across the region. In Argentina, names including Enzo, Emiliano and Lionel have surged in popularity ahead of the World Cup final, while in Mexico, a birth certificate circulating on social media showed a baby girl reportedly named after several football stars. Experts say naming children after famous athletes has long been a tradition in Latin America, though they note such names can create high expectations later in life.