In Ecuador, Neymar is the most popular footballer-inspired baby name, with 3,847 children named after the Brazilian star as of June 2026, according to civil registry data [1, 2]. Kylian Mbappe is the second most common footballer name in Ecuador, with over 2,800 namesakes, followed by James Rodriguez with 2,136 children bearing his name [1, 2]. In the same country, 1,549 boys are named Lionel after Lionel Messi, while 38 carry the surname version Messis. Cristiano Ronaldo’s popularity is split between 1,006 Ronaldos and 178 Cristianos [1, 2].
Colombia shows a different pattern. More children are named Kylian or Mbappe—836 in total—compared to 269 named Neymar and 220 named after Cristiano Ronaldo under either Ronaldo or Cristiano [1, 2]. Meanwhile, in Brazil, Neymar remains a favorite with 2,443 children named for him as of a 2022 census, while more than 400 boys were named Kylian or Killian [1, 2].
Argentina saw a surge in the name Lionel after Messi’s 2022 World Cup victory, peaking in 2023 before declining again [1, 2]. In Chile, an exceptional case gained attention when a family named their children Griezmann Mbappe, James Modric, Andres Iniesta, Leonel Messi, and Neymar Ronaldo shortly before the 2022 World Cup began [1, 2].
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which started on June 11, continues to fuel football fandom and influences baby naming trends across the continent. Experts speculate that names inspired by players such as Lamine, Ousmane, Harry, or Vitinha could become popular in the coming year depending on standout performers in the tournament [1, 2].