The 2010 World Cup, currently underway in South Africa, has been inspiring South African parents to bestow World Cup-themed baby names.
In Johannesburg, a baby girl was named Fifa after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the body that governs international soccer.
A set of twins also born in Johannesburg was named Ke Nako and Soccer City. Ke Nako, a Zulu phrase meaning “it’s time,” is part of the official slogan of the 2010 World Cup. Soccer City is the stadium that hosted the World Cup’s opening match.
In Bloemfontein, a set of twins was named Bafana and Mexico after the two teams that played in that opening match, South Africa (Bafana Bafana) and Mexico.
No babies named Vuvuzela yet, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Source: South Africa World Cup baby names: Moms choose Fifa, Bafana, and Soccer City by Savious Kwinika
Image: Adapted from Portugal 2-3 Denmark, Football by José Goulão under CC BY-SA 2.0.