Saint Nikolaos
Facts about Santa Claus, Other Names for the Big Jolly Gift Giver
You may know him as Santa Claus, the big fat man in a red suit and beard who comes down your chimney with a bag full of new Paint Ball Guns, barbies, and holiday treats. But this universal symbol has roots that go way back and has other names that you probably have never heard of. Here are some crazy cool interesting facts about the Christmas character we all know as Santa Claus.
1. In China he is called “Shengdan Laoren.”
2. In England his name is “Father Christmas.”
3. In France they call him “Pere Noel.”
4. In Germany he is referred to as “Christindl, the Christ Child.”
5. The Dutch settles in New Amsterdam New York brought the Santa Claus tradition to the states, their version was named “Sint Klaas.”
6. The “old cult” of Santa Claus actually originated through many traditions: Christian and Pagan, Scandinavian, Old Catholic, Dutch, German, and English.
7. In Greek, St. Nicholas is known as “Hagios Nikolaos”, or Bishop of Myra (in Turkey).
8. Santa Claus has been the patron saint of Greece, Moscow, Russia, children, sailors, bakers, prisoners, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers, and wolves alike.
9. Sometimes this character is referred to as St. Nicholas of Bari because his remaining relics are in the basilica of St. Nicola in Bari, Italy.
10. For many Spanish speaking countries, who are predominantly Catholic, gifts are brought by the Baby Jesus or “el Nino Jesus.”
11. In Italy Santa is referred to as Father Christmas which is “Babbo Natale.”
12. In Morocco, Santa is known as “Black Peter.”
13. In Japan, Santa Claus is referred to as Santa Claus but some citizens refer to him as “Santa no ojisan” which translates to Uncle Santa.
14. In Sweden, the gift bringer is referred to as “Jultomten.”
15. In Norwegian, he is called “Julenissen.”
16. In the Netherlands they call him “Kerstman.”
17. In Finland, Santa is referred to as “Joulupukki.”
18. In Dutch he is called “Sinter Klaas.”
19. In Russia he is called Grandfather Frost which is translated to “ded moroz.”
20. Finally, Santa Claus has another moniker which is Kris Kringle. This is the German word for Christ Child or Christ Kind.
Merry Christmas!
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