The FIFA World Cup 2026 is leaving its mark beyond the football pitch, with parents across Latin America naming their newborns after some of the tournament’s biggest stars.
From “Baby Haaland” in Peru to a rise in babies named Lionel, Enzo and Emiliano in Argentina, football fever is influencing birth registrations as fans celebrate their favourite players.
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Why are parents choosing football-inspired names?
As stated by the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) of Peru, several babies were recently baptized in honor of Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland after his nation made it into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
RENIEC spokesman Ivan Torres informed Panamericana TV that one baby received the name “Mundial,” which is a Spanish term referring to the FIFA World Cup.
This naming practice has occurred despite the fact that Peru failed to qualify for the competition. Apparently, many supporters supported Norway because of this reason.
How has the trend spread across Latin America?
In Argentina, local authorities in Salta province said Enzo, Emiliano and Lionel emerged among the most popular baby names in the week leading up to the FIFA World Cup final. The names reflect the popularity of Argentina stars Enzo Fernandez, goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, and captain Lionel Messi.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, an image of a birth certificate showing a baby named Quiñona Ysisidra Morita Haaland Guevara went viral on social media. The name appeared to combine references to Mexican players Julián Quiñones, Gilberto Mora, Norway’s Erling Haaland, and the slogan “Y si sí?” (“What if?”), adopted by Mexican fans during the tournament. Reuters noted that Mexican authorities had not independently verified the authenticity of the certificate.
In an interview with Reuters, Fabiola Molina, a parent podcaster, revealed that it is an age-old tradition in Latin America to name kids after football players, referring to previous traditions where children were named after Diego Maradona and even other international celebrities.
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However, she further explained that naming after these footballers not only reflects the passion of fans but may impose pressure on children later in their lives.
FAQs
Q1. Why are infants named after Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi?
Parents in certain regions of Latin America are naming their infants after FIFA World Cup footballers in connection with football hype during the 2026 World Cup.
Q2. In which countries is the practice seen?
The practice has been observed in Peru, Argentina, and Mexico.
