When Manchester City star Erling Haaland, whose name on Instagram reads Erling Braut Haaland, steps onto the field for Norway, one detail always catches the eye – his shirt reads his full surname “Braut Haaland” rather than simply “Haaland.”
For many casual fans, this small addition sparks curiosity. Is it a nickname? A tribute? Or simply a quirk of Norwegian football culture?
The answer lies in family tradition and national naming customs that stretch back generations.
Why does Erling Haaland have ‘Braut Haaland’ on the back of his Norway jersey?
Haaland adopted the change in late August 2025 to follow tradition in his home country as well as to display his full family name.
The change reflects both tradition and identity in his homeland. In Norway, surnames often serve as markers of family heritage and regional roots. Haaland’s complete name is Erling Braut Haaland: the Braut stems from his mother’s side, while Haaland comes from his father, former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland.
Unlike in many countries where middle names are rarely emphasized, Norwegians frequently include both names as part of their official identity. That cultural practice explains why the striker now represents his country with Braut Haaland across his back, instead of leaving out the maternal side of his name.
On social media, he already goes by Erling Braut Haaland on Instagram, but at club level the shorter Haaland has always been used. That’s been the case during his time at Manchester City and previously with Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
It wasn’t always that way, however. At the 2019 Under-20 World Cup, where Haaland made headlines with a record nine-goal performance against Honduras, he was registered under his full name, Erling Braut Haaland. Among Norwegian supporters, he’s even nicknamed “Brauten” — which translates to “The Braut” in English
Importantly, this switch isn’t about image or marketing. The inclusion of Braut is a personal nod to his upbringing in Bryne, the town where his football journey began.
Still, there remains a clear difference between international and club football. Norway now sees him wear his full name, while global fans are more familiar with simply Haaland. That distinction comes down largely to branding and shirt sales, where shorter names are easier to recognize and promote. For his national side, though, heritage takes priority.
Who is Erling Haaland’s mother?
Much of Erling’s remarkable athletic pedigree comes from his mother, Gry Marita Braut, a former Norwegian heptathlon champion.
His parents first crossed paths in England while Alf Inge was playing for Nottingham Forest, with his mother already making her mark in domestic athletics as a specialist in her event.
Who is Erling Haaland’s father?
Alf Inge Haaland played a pivotal role in shaping Erling’s path to Manchester City, both by guiding negotiations with Dortmund and by passing down his own connection to the club.
Born in England while his father was at Leeds United, Erling grew up a City supporter, a bond cemented when Alf later moved to the blue half of Manchester.
Alf’s own career began at Bryne in Norway before stints with Nottingham Forest, Leeds, and eventually City, where he became known for his grit in midfield. His time in England is still remembered for the infamous clash with Roy Keane, though it was a separate knee injury that ultimately cut his career short in 2003.
After a brief comeback in Norway, he fully retired in 2013 and has since worked as Erling’s advisor and representative in his major career moves.
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