Deciding what to name your baby is possibly one of the biggest tasks to take on during your pregnancy. Inspiration can be found just about anywhere but for baby boys, in particular, sports stars are a good place to start. Naming your child after someone who is known for greatness is setting them in the right direction to be successful in their own futures, right?
Some athletes' impact goes beyond the field and babies around the world have been named after the world's biggest fútbol stars. Soccer fanatics have named their baby boys after everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi—and that trend shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. If your dream is to raise a little champion, why not give him a moniker that will inspire him to always reach for the stars as he gets older?
More from MamásLatinas: 40 Baby boy names inspired by Latino celebrities
These soccer players have the kind of excellent work ethic, drive, and passion that any parent would want their child to have. If you're the competitive type and your GOOOOAAL is to find great baby boy name options, why not look to soccer players for inspiration? You don't even need to look that hard because we've done all the hard work for you by going through soccer player rosters—past and present—to find some winning names for your consideration.
You can debate about whether to call it soccer or fútbol until you're blue in the face, but there is no debating that there are some great names on this list. You might find that a name like Neymar or Luka is perfect for your little boy. Click through and take a look for yourself at this list of 40 baby boy names and get ready for you and your son to score.
Alessandro, as in Nesta.
Inspiration: Defender Alessandro Nesta, born March, 19 1976 in Italy, former player for A.C. Milan and Montreal Impact. Widely considered one of the best center backs of all time.
Meaning: Defender of mankind.
Alfredo, as in Di Stéfano.
Inspiration: Forward Alfredo Di Stéfano (1926-2014), born in Argentina, played for Real Madrid. Regarded as one of best players of all time.
Meaning: Wise, elvin, elf counsel.
Álvaro, as in Morata.
Inspiration: Striker Álvaro Morata, born October 23, 1992, plays for Chelsea in England and Spain's national team.
Meaning: Truth speaker, guardian.
Ángel, as in Di María.
Inspiration: Winger or attacking midfielder Ángel Di María, born February 14, 1988 in Argentina, plays for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and Argentina's national team.
Meaning: angel.
Andrés, as in Iniesta.
Inspiration: Midfielder Andrés Iniesta, born May 11, 1984 in Spain, plays for F.C. Barcelona and Spain's national team.
Meaning: manly.
Arturo, as in Vidal.
Inspiration: Midfielder Arturo Vidal, born May 22, 1987 in Chile, plays for F.C. Bayern Munich and Chile's national team.
Meaning: strong as a bear.
Bernardo, as in Silva.
Inspiration: Midfielder Bernardo Silva, born August 10, 1994 in Portugal, plays for Manchester City F.C. and Portugal's national team.
Meaning: strong as a bear.
Casemiro, as in Carlos Henrique Casemiro.
Inspiration: Defensive midfielder Casemiro, born February 23, 1992 in Brazil, plays for Read Madrid C.F. and Brazil's national team.
Meaning: peaceful.
Cristiano, as in Ronaldo.
Inspiration: Forward Cristiano Ronaldo, born February 5, 1985 in Portugal, plays for Real Madrid C.F. and Portugal's national team. He is Portugal's top international scorer.
Meaning: Christian.
David, as in Silva.
Inspiration: Attacking midfielder David Silva, born January 8, 1986 in Spain, plays for Manchester City F.C. and Spain's national team.
Meaning: beloved.
Diego, as in Maradona.
Inspiration: Midfielder Diego Maradona, born October 30, 1960 in Argentina, helped the Argentine national team win the 1986 World Cup. Scored an illegal goal with his hand in that game and said it was the "hand of God" helping him out. Many consider him the best soccer player EVER.
Meaning: he that replaces, supplanter.
Franco, as in Baresi.
Inspiration: Defender Franco Baresi, born May 8, 1960 in Italy, played with Serie A Club Milan for 20 years and is now an Italian football youth team coach.
Meaning: Frenchman, free one.
Gabriel, as in Jesus.
Inspiration: Defender Gabriel Jesus, born April 3, 1997 in Brazil, plays for Manchester City F.C. and Brazil's national team.
Meaning: man of God.
Gerard, as in Piqué.
Inspiration: Defender Gerard Piqué, born February 2, 1987 in Spain, plays for F.C. Barcelona, Catalonia national team and Spain's national team. He's also the guy that Shakira has two kids with.
Meaning: brave, bold or hardy spear.
Gonzalo, as in Higuain.
Inspiration: Forward Gonzalo Higuain, born December 10, 1987 in France, plays for Juventus F.C. and Argentina's national team.
Meaning: safe from harm.
Guillermo, as in Ochoa.
Inspiration: Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, born July 13, 1985 in Mexico, plays for Standard Liège and Mexico's national team. People call him Memo.
Meaning: resolute protector.
Hernán, as in Crespo.
Inspiration: Forward Hernán Crespo, born July 5, 1975 in Argentina, retired, played for teams including Argentina's national team.
Meaning: adventurous.
James, as in Rodriguez.
Inspiration: Midfielder James Rodríguez, born July 7, 1991 in Colombia, plays for F.C. Bayern Munich and Colombia's national team.
Meaning: supplanter, he that replaces.
Javier, as in Hernández.
Inspiration: Forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernández Balcázar, born 6, 1, 1988 in Mexico, plays for West Ham United F.C. and Mexico's national team. His jersey has his nickname Chicharito on it.
Meaning: Bright.
Jorge, as in Campos.
Inspiration: Goalkeeper and forward Jorge Campos, born October 15, 1966 in Mexico, retired, played for teams including Los Angeles Galaxy and Mexico's national team.
Meaning: farmer, earth worker.
Julio, as in César Romero.
Inspiration: Midfielder Julio César Romero, born August 28, 1960 in Paraguay, retired, played for teams including New York Cosmos and Paraguay's national team.
Meaning: youthful.
Lionel, as in Messi.
Inspiration: Forward Lionel Messi, born June 24, 1987 in Argentina, plays for F.C. Barcelona and Argentina's national team. He's considered one of the best players of his generation.
Meaning: young lion.
Lorenzo, as in Insigne.
Inspiration: Forward or attacking midfielder Lorenzo Insigne, born June 4, 1991 in Italy, plays for S.S.C. Napoli and Italy's national team.
Meaning: laurel.
Luis, as in Suárez Díaz.
Inspiration: Striker Luis Suárez Díaz, born January 24, 1987 in Uruguay, plays for F.C. Barcelona and Uruguay's national team.
Meaning: famous in battle.
Luka, as in Modrić.
Inspiration: Midfielder Luka Modrić, born September 9, 1985 in Croatia, plays for Real Madrid C.F and Croatia's national team.
Meaning: light.
Manuel, as in Neuer.
Inspiration: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, born March 27, 1986 in Germany, plays for F.C. Bayern Munich and Germany's national team.
Meaning: God is with us.
Marcelo, as in Vieira da Silva Junior.
Inspiration: Defender Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, born May 12, 1988 in Brazil, plays for Real Madrid C.F. and Brazil's national team.
Meaning: hammer.
Marco, as in van Basten.
Inspiration: Forward Marco van Basten, born October 31, 1964 in Netherlands, retired played for Ajax, Milan and the Dutch national team. Considered one of the best players of all all time.
Meaning: warring.
Mauro, as in Icardi.
Inspiration: Forward Mauro Icardi, born February 19, 1993 in Argentina, plays for Inter Milan.
Meaning: dark-skinned.
Michel, as in Platini.
Inspiration: Midfielder Michel François Platini, born June 21, 1955 in France, retired, used to play for Juventus and France's national team.
Meaning: gift from God.
Neymar, as in Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior.
Inspiration: Forward Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, born February 5, 1992 in Brazil, plays for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and Brazil's national team.
Meaning: unknown meaning.
Paolo, as in Maldini.
Inspiration: Defender Paolo Maldini, June 26, 1968 in Italy, retired, used to play for A.C. Milan. Holds the record for most A.C. Milan appearances.
Meaning: small.
Pedro, as in Rodríguez Ledesma.
Inspiration: Midfielder and forward Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma, born July 28, 1987 in Spain, plays for Chelsea F.C. and Spain's national team.
Meaning: stone, rock.
Pelé, as in Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
Inspiration: Forward Edson Arantes do Nascimento known as Pelé, born October 23, 1940 in Brazil, played for Santos, New York Cosmos and Brazil's national team. He scored 1,281 goals in his career.
Meaning: The story goes that it was a nickname given to him while he was at school.
Roberto, as in Carlos.
Inspiration: Defender Roberto Carlos, born April 10 1973 in Brazil, retired, played for various teams including Real Madrid and Brazil's national team. His nickname is "El Hombre Bala" becaue of his powerful kicks.
Meaning: famed, bright, shining.
Romário, as in de Souza Faria.
Inspiration: Forward de Souza Faria, born January 29, 1966 in Brazil, retired, played for various teams including Miami F.C. and Brazil's national team. He's a politician now.
Meaning: Roman.
Ronaldinho, as in de Assis Moreira.
Inspiration: Midfielder Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980 in Brazil, retired, played for various teams including Barcelona, Milan and Brazil's national team. He won FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.
Meaning: little Ronaldo.
Sergio, as in Agüero.
Inspiration: Forward Sergio Agüero, born June 2, 1988 in Argentina, plays for Manchester City F.C. and Argentina's national team.
Meaning: servant, soldier, vassal.
Sócrates, as in Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira.
Inspiration: Midfielder and forward Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira (2/19/1954-12/4/2011), born in Brazil, played for teams including Santos, Botafogo-SP and Brazil's national team. Named one of the world's best living players on the FIFA 100 list of 2004.
Meaning: whole, unwounded, safe.
Valentino, as in Mazzola.
Inspiration: Midfielder Valentino Mazzola (1/26/1919-5/4/1949), born in Italy, played for teams including Venezia, Torino, and the Italian national team. He died tragically at the age of 30 in a plane crash.
Meaning: brave, strong.
