In Greece, Santa Claus is known as ‘Ayios Vassileios’. Can you spot the hidden sweet in this snowy scene? In the U.S., Santa, Kris Kringle or Saint Nick – whichever version of … Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Der Weihnachtsmann isn’t the only Santa Claus-like figure in Germany, however. Italy is famous for their big Christmas spread for the whole family to enjoy. German children call Santa Claus ‘Weihnachtsmann’ which translates to Christmas man. Italian. House Beautiful - A linguistics expert reveals how the name has been interpreted and changed internationally. From then on, the idea of Sinterklaas was transformed bit by bit into the Americana version of Santa Claus (Anglicized name and all) that people recognize today. Meet Two Extinct Letters Of The Alphabet: “Thorn” And “Wynn”, How To Write A Convincing Letter Of Recommendation. In 1881, a Harper’s Weekly cartoon of the poem put a face to the man complete with the belly, beard, and sack of toys. He is believed to bring presents on Christmas Eve either under the tree or in shoes by the fireplace. The Dutch, it turns out, had a big hand in the Santa we know today. Tick, Tock: What Is The “Doomsday Clock?”. After he was canonized by the Catholic church as a saint, people idolized him as the protector of children and sailors. Then you will know the Secret Message hidden in Santa's names! Do you always do a double take at ’twas? The belief of Dyado Koleda came from Russia since Bulgaria did not have much contact with non-socialistic countries, the only difference is his red coat is long to his ankles. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts on Christmas Eve of toys and candy to well-behaved children, and either coal or nothing to naughty children. Also did you know in some countries he is skinny while other countries he is over weight. Find all of Santa's names and cross off the letters in your puzzle. The jolly version of Santa Claus with the buoyant beard and belly lives on today in the US. The Different Variations of Santa Claus all Over the World ... On Christmas Eve, American children eagerly await a portly, bearded man by the name of Santa Claus. The name translates loosely to "Father Ice" or "Grandfather Frost." A linguistics expert reveals how the name has been interpreted and changed internationally. He also travels with Krampus, a scary looking character who handles the children who’ve been bad. Zwarte Piet is typically depicted as a white person in Black face and comes into houses through the chimney to deliver presents. Internationally recognised, Santa Claus brings joy and excitement into homes all over the world during the Christmas period – but he isn't known as Santa Clause to everyone. For one, Santa Claus greets the world every year wearing his trademark red and white. He zips through the night sky on a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer and squeezes through chimneys to deliver presents to good boys and girls. In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? As American Santa Claus spread around the globe active movements have developed in several European countries to keep traditional customs and gift givers from being overshadowed by Santa Claus. The legendary figure of Santa Claus is well recognized all over the world. Internationally recognised, Santa Claus brings joy and excitement into homes all over the world during the Christmas period – but he isn't known as Santa Clause to everyone. Bulgarian children call Santa Claus ‘Dyado Koleda’ which means Grandfather Christmas. Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today and get each issue delivered directly to your door. What you call the magical, sleigh-riding giver of gifts depends a lot on where you are. Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today, Christmas: news, tips, ideas and inspiration, 9 different ways pillows are used around the world. Children in France call Santa Claus ‘Pere Noël’ which translates to Father Christmas. She did her work on Epiphany on January 6, which is the final day of the Christmas season that is designated as the day the three Wise Men made it to Mary and Joseph’s manger. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. … Below is a list of countries around the world and what they call Santa Claus. Redefine your inbox with Dictionary.com updates. The town was established in 1854 and known as Santa Fe (/ f iː /). 25 th December, 2021. Here, Sergio Afonso, linguistics expert at Absolute Translations, talks us through the different names for Santa Claus around the world. In some parts of France, this friendly depiction of Santa Claus is accompanied by Pére Fouettard, which translates to “Father Whipper.” The name refers to the old legend that he would whip those on the naughty list. New York newspapers reported that Dutch families were holding Sinterklaas gatherings on December 6 in 1773 and 1774. Sinterklaas is the shorter version of the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas: Sint Nikolaas. Though his name and image are just about everywhere, do you know why Santa Claus is called by that name—or Saint Nick, Saint Nicholas, Santa, or any of the other similar monikers? Santa Names Around The World - Find information on Multiculturism Santas, father christmas, names of santa claus, kris kringle, shengdan laoren, pere noel, the christ child, baby jesus, papa noel, babbo natale, kerstman, joulupukki, sinter. Austria, Switzerland, and Germany — Christkind or Christkindl. That’s how come he is able to circumnavigate around the world in a single night and deliver gifts to children all over the world. The "many nicknames of Santa" are listed above and on the downloadable games. Sinterklaas is a legendary figure from Netherlands who is based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Greek Christian Bishop from ancient Greece. Write the letters in the blank spaces at the bottom of the game. The Americanized name Santa Claus dates back to 1765—75, and it originally comes from the Dutch name Sinterklaas. The story around this character was inspired by the Christian Bishop Saint Nicholas from the 4th century that lived in Lycia (Turkey today). The last bit of the Dutch name, Klaas, is short for Niklaas, or Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was bishop of the small Roman town of Myra in the 4thCentury in what is now Turkey. Christmas brain teaser: can you find Santa's hat? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In America we know that Santa Claus is the one who brings us presents on Christmas Day but have you ever wondered what they call Santa Claus in other countries around the world? Why Roman Numerals Are The Super Bowl’s Signature, 8 Better Ways To Give Praise Instead Of Saying “Good Job”, “Pup-ular” Words To Use During The Doggone Puppy Bowl. The original legend of Saint Nicholas lives on with celebrations on and around December 6. Christmas dinner celebrations around the world, 12 of the best hotel Christmas trees from around the world, The best design hotspots around the world. We have compiled the most popular names of Santa Claus from around the world just incase you find yourself in a different country on Christmas Day. The Americanized name Santa Claus dates back to 1765—75, and it originally comes from the Dutch name Sinterklaas. In Japan they call him ‘Santa-San’, which is Mr Santa. His red-cheeked and cheery visage is seen on TV, on posters, and at malls across the United States in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Ever wondered what people call Santa Claus in different languages? ... and he gave them all cheery little names … Rather than basing the deliverer of presents on a Catholic saint, that honor was given to Christkind, an angelic figure. Joulupukki, Finland. “Turtle” vs. “Tortoise”: What’s The Difference? House Beautiful kitchens at Homebase, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. How is Thanksgiving celebrated around the world? We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The spirit of Santa Claus may be close to universal, though the details vary a bit in some places, and the name isn’t the same everywhere. 33 Black-owned home decor businesses to support, NEW! #SantaClaus Click To Tweet Christ out of Christmas. In the modern Sinterklaas story that dates back to an 1891 children’s book, he comes from Spain every year in early December with presents and his servant Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete. Over the years, we've known him by many names: Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nick, or just Santa. So many cultures and heritages have influenced these names over time, yet they all conjure up the same emotions no matter where you are in the world. And then there’s the gift-giving character who is divorced from Catholic saints that came about during the lifetime of Protestant leader Martin Luther in the 1500s. After you find all of Santa's nicknames, some letters will be left. Finnish children call Santa Claus ‘Joulupukki’. In the United States he is also known as Kriss Kringle. The pronunciation of Saint Nicholas in Dutch is Sinterklaas, which is where the Santa Claus name originated from. And families around the world will be opening … She changed her mind after they left and tried to follow with a basket of gifts but never made it. Since the 700s, an Italian witch named La Befana has flown around the region on a broom giving treats to good children and coal to the bad. 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