What's Santa's Name?

How many different names for Santa Claus can you think of? I come up with ten, many of which are just variation of Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas.

The following was taken from Busuu. You can read the entire article here.

What is Santa Claus’ real name?

The concept originated from Saint Nicholas, a patron saint famous for giving generous gifts to the poor. The pronunciation of Saint Nicholas in Dutch is Sinnterklaas, which is where the name Santa Claus came from. Spelling Sinterklaas as Santa Claus dates back about 200 years in New York.

10 different names for Santa Claus around the world

1. English: Santa Claus / Father Christmas

In the UK, US and Canada, “Santa Claus” or “Father Christmas” is believed to travel around the world sporting a red suit on his sleigh, pulled by reindeer. 

He comes down the chimney the night before Christmas (between 24 and 25 December), leaving presents for children under the Christmas tree! Children often leave Christmas stockings by the fireplace that Santa can fill with small gifts and sweets. 

Some families will leave a snack for him for his travels. In the UK, it’s common to leave a mince pie (a traditional festive pastry) and a glass of whisky / sherry for Santa, and a carrot for the reindeer! Americans leave cookies and milk.

2. American-English: Kris Kringle

In the US and Canada, some people call him Kris Kringle, which originates from the German word Christkind (Christ child). 

3. French: Père Noël / Papa Noël (lit. Father Christmas / Daddy Christmas)

In France, it is Père Noël who delivers presents either on the eve of 23rd December, or on the morning of 25th December. 

In the east of France, he is accompanied by Le Père Fouettard, a man dressed in black, who is said to punish the children if they misbehave.

3. Spanish: Papa Noel (lit. Father Christmas)

The man behind the Spanish name for Santa Claus is commonly known to give out presents on 24th December or 25th December (from Papa Noel), or on 6th January (from the Three Kings). 

In South America, a family member often dresses up as Papa Noel and gives gifts to the children.

While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).

Santa is actually Spanish and means “saint”. The only problem is that Santa with an “a” is used for women, such as Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara. Men use “San” or “Santo”, as in San Francisco, San Diego, San Antonio, etc.

4. German: Weihnachtsmann (lit. Christmas man)

The festive season in Germany starts early, with Nikolaustag – St. Nicholas Day – on 6th December. It is thought that St. Nicholas comes in the night, and puts presents in the children’s shoes, which are usually polished (kids have got to get in Santa’s good books somehow!) and placed by their front doors the evening before.

In some parts of Germany, das Christkind (Christ child) is thought to bring children presents on Christmas Eve. Children also write to him asking for presents before Christmas. They even decorate their letters by gluing sugar to the envelope!

In other parts of the country, der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) is the one who brings presents to the children. Traditionally, German people open their presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.

5. Italian: Babbo Natale (lit. Daddy Christmas)

In Italy, Babbo Natale is thought to deliver presents at Christmas. Italian families start collecting presents at the start of December and they are opened either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning. 

It is also believed that the witch, La Befana, arrives during the night of 5th January bringing smalls gifts, sweets and dried fruits which she leaves in the socks of the good children.

6. Portuguese: Papai Noel (lit. Father Christmas)

In some parts of Brazil, children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds their sock, he’ll exchange it for a present.

In Portugal, Santa Claus is called Pai Natal. He is believed to bring presents to children on Christmas Eve. Presents are left under the Christmas tree or in shoes by the fireplace.

In both countries, families will either open presents on the eve of the 24th after Midnight Mass or on Christmas morning.

7. Russian: Дед Мороз – Ded Moroz (lit. Grandfather Frost)

In Russia, Christmas is actually celebrated on 7th January, which is the Orthodox Christmas, and therefore goes by a different calendar. This is true for many Easter Orthodox Christian denominations, such as those in the Middle East.

However, people do also exchange presents on New Year’s Eve. It is believed that Ded Moroz (the Russian and interpretation of and name for Santa Claus) brings presents with the help of his granddaughter, Snegurka. The tradition goes that children make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Ded Moroz and Snegurka. When they appear, the star and other lights on the Christmas tree light up.

8. Turkish: Noel Baba (lit. Father Christmas)

Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Turkey, but some families celebrate popular Christmas traditions on New Year’s Eve. They might have a ‘New Year’s Eve tree’ and give gifts.

9. Polish: Święty Mikołaj (lit. Saint Nicholas)

In Poland, it is generally believed that Święty Mikołaj brings presents which are opened after the Christmas Eve supper is finished. Sometimes the adults tease the children by dragging out the meal so they have to wait longer for the presents!

In some parts of Poland, there are different traditions. In the east, presents are given by Dziadek Mróz (the same as Ded Moroz in Russia) and in western and northern Poland people believe that Gwiazdor (the starman) brings them.

A Visit from St. Nick

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house  

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 

それはクリスマスの前の晩、家中で生き物は、ネズミさえも動かなくなったころ、

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;  

靴下は煙突のそばに下げられていて、サンタクロースが来るのを待っていた。

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; 

子供たちはベッドに寝静まって、頭の中で砂糖入り菓子が踊っていて、

And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,  

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, 

ママは布をかぶっていて、私は帽子をかぶり、長い夜の眠りについた時に。

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,  

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

突然外の庭で大きな音がしたので、私はベッドから飛び起きて、何だろうと思い、

Away to the window I flew like a flash,  

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.  

窓のそばにいって、雨戸を開けた。

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow  

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,  

降ったばかりの雪の上に月が昼間のように光を投げていた。

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, 

すると目の前に何と小さなソリと八頭のトナカイが見えて

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,  

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. 

御者が元気なおじいさんだったので、サンタクロースだとすぐ分かった。

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,  

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

ワシよりも早くトナカイたちは飛んできてサンタさんは大声で名前を呼んだ。

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! 

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!  

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!  

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

「そらダッシャー、そらダンサー、それプランサー、ヴィクセン、行けコメット、行けキューピッド、ドナー、ブリッツェン、ポーチに上まで、煙突の上まで！早く走れ、それ走れ、みんな走れ！」

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; 

ハリケーンの前で枯葉が舞うように、何かにぶち当たると、ソリは空へ舞いある、

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,  

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too. 

だからトナカイたちは家の屋根の上へ飛んで行った、おもちゃがいっぱいのソリとサンタクロースを載せて。

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof  

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

私が驚いていると、屋根の上にトナカイたちがコトコト動いているのが聞こえた。

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,  

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. 

頭を引っ込めて、ぐるりと回したらサンタさんがポンと煙突を下りてきた。

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, 

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; 

サンさんは頭から足まで、毛皮の服を着て、それが灰とススにまみれていた。

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. 

後ろにはおもちゃを沢山背負って、包を開く前の行商人のようだった。

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! 

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! 

目が光っていて、えくぼが幸せそうで、頬は紅色で、サクランボみたいだった。

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow  

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

小さな口を弓のようにして、あごには雪のように白いヒゲを生やして、

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,  

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; 

歯にはパイプをきつくかんで、煙が花輪のように頭をめぐっていた。

He had a broad face and a little round belly,  

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. 

サンタさんの顔は広くて、丸いお腹は笑う時に震えて、ジェリーが入ったボウルのようだった。

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; 

かわいく太っていて、愉快な妖精のようだった。思わず笑ってしまった私に

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,  

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;  

目をウィンクして、頭をかしげたので、何も怖くないとすぐ分かった。

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, 

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

言葉は何も言わなくて、すぐ仕事に取り掛かって、靴下をいっぱいにして、くるりと身を回して、

And laying his finger aside of his nose,  

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;  

そして指を鼻の脇に置いて、それからうなづいて、煙突を登っていった。

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, 

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle, 

それからソリに飛び乗って、トナカイたちに口笛を吹いて、枯草が舞うように、飛んでいってしまった。

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

でも見えなくなる前に、サンタさんが叫ぶのが聞こえた。

「クリスマス、おめでとう！みんな、お休み！」

Saint Nicholas Day

Almost every day on the calendar is a “feast day” for Catholics and other Christians. According to the Calendar of Saints (各々の日付に特定の聖人を関連付けた伝統的なカレンダーのこと), the 14th of February is Saint Valentine’s Day. I think most Japanese, both young and old, are familiar with that day. In recent years, Saint Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17th, has grown in popularity.

One day that is not well known in Japan, but has lots of commercial potential, is Saint Nicholas’ Day. Saint Nicholas, or St. Nick, was an early Church bishop of the ancient Greek city of Myra in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. His reputation as a secret gift-giver gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus through Sinterklaas.

Today, the Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on December 6th. In some European countries, this is the day Children receive presents. In other countries, such as the US it is a day when children receive chocolate coins and other treats from Saint Nicholas.

This year my boys received snowman cookies and Christmas-themed books in addition to chocolates from St. Nick.

From Wikipedia:

「ニコラオス伝には、前述のように教区の貧しい娘にひそかに持参金をめぐんだという伝承があることから、サンタクロースはこの伝承から発展したとする説がある。子供を誘拐し商品にする肉屋に赴き7年塩漬けにされた7人の子供を復活させ助けたという別の伝承から子供の守護聖人ともされている。英国オックスフォード大学の研究者らが、聖ニコラオスのものとされる遺骨の年代測定を行ったところ、その死亡時期がサンタクロース伝説と一致したとし、「この骨片は、聖ニコラオス本人の遺骨を目にしている可能性を示唆している」という声明を出した。」