The FIFA World Cup isn’t just creating unforgettable moments on the pitch—it’s also influencing what parents are naming their children.

According to Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), interest in Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland has surged during the tournament. Officials say 91 children have now been registered with the full name Erling Haaland, while 468 Peruvians already carry the surname Haaland.

The trend accelerated as Norway enjoyed a historic run to the World Cup quarterfinals, with Haaland emerging as one of the tournament’s biggest stars. The Manchester City striker finished with seven goals, including a crucial winner against Brazil in the knockout stage.

RENIEC spokesperson Iván Torres joked that the phenomenon has become so widespread that “Haaland is Peruvian too.”

While Haaland’s popularity is growing, he still has a long way to go before catching football’s biggest naming icons in Peru.

According to RENIEC, Neymar remains the country’s most popular football-inspired name, with more than 33,800 Peruvians carrying it. Meanwhile, 3,402 people are named Messi, including 292 officially registered as Lionel Messi, while Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired 1,185 namesakes. Even Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has already inspired 1,241 Peruvians to adopt his surname as a first name.

The figures highlight football’s enormous cultural influence in Peru, where major tournaments often inspire parents to name their children after their favourite stars.

For Haaland, Norway may have fallen short of lifting the World Cup trophy, but his impact will live on in a much different way—on dozens of Peruvian birth certificates for years to come.