Names for Santa Claus around the world
Every year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24 & 25) Santa travels around the world bringing good will, merriment, cheer, love, and presents to millions of people all across the globe. Depending on where you live however, he does not always go by the same name…different countries call him different things – he’s known as everything from Père Noël to Julemanden to Sinter Klaas depending on where he is. Irregardless of his name however, he can be recognized on site – he’ll be the jolly man with the long white beard, wearing a red jacket and pants with white fur-lined trim, and possibly carrying a large red bag.
So how do you greet Jolly Old Saint Nick if you’re celebrating Christmas in a different country? Here is a list of different names Santa is called all across the world!
| Country | Name for Santa |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Baba Chaghaloo |
| Albania | Babagjyshi i Krishtlindjeve (Grandfather Christmas) / Babadimri (Grandfather Winter) |
| Argentina | Papa Noel |
| Armenia | Gaghant Baba |
| Australia | Santa Claus |
| Austria | Christkind / Christkindl / Christkindel |
| Bahamas | Santa Claus |
| Belgium | Pere Noel |
| Bermuda | Santa Claus |
| Bosnia | Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost) |
| Brazil | Papai Noel |
| Bulgaria | Dyado Koleda (Grandfather Christmas) / Dyado Mraz (Grandfather Frost) |
| Canada | Père Noël |
| Chile | Viejo Pascuero (Old Man Christmas) |
| China | Dun Che Lao Ren (Christmas Old Man) / Shengdan Laoren |
| Croatia | Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas) / Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost) / Djed Božičnjak (Grandfather Christmas) |
| Czech | Svatý Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas) |
| Denmark | Julemanden |
| Dutch | Sinter Klaas |
| Ecaudor | Santa Claus / Papá Noel |
| Egypt | Papa Noel |
| England | Father Christmas |
| Finland | Joulupukki |
| France | Père Noël |
| Germany | Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man) / Saint Nikolaus |
| Greece | Agios Vassilios / Άγιος Βασίλης |
| Hawaii | Kanakaloka |
| Herzegovina | Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost) |
| Holland | De Kerstman / Sinterklaas / Sinter Klaas |
| Hungary | Mikulás (St. Nicholas) / Télapó (Old Man Winter) |
| Iceland | Jolasveinn |
| India | Christmas Thaathaa (in Tamil) / Christmas Baba (in Hindi) |
| Iran | Baba Noel |
| Iraq | Vader kerfees |
| Ireland | Santy / Daidí na Nollag (Father Christmas) / Santa |
| Italy | Babbo Natale |
| Jamaica | Santa Claus |
| Japan | Hoteiosho (a god or priest who bears gifts) |
| Kenya | Father Christmas / Santa Claus |
| Lebanon | Santa Claus / Baba Noel |
| Lithuania | Kalėdų Senelis (Christmas Grandfather) / Senis Šaltis (Old Man Frost) |
| Macedonia | Dedo Mraz – Grandfather Frost (Дедо Мраз) |
| Malta | San Niklaw |
| Mexico | Santo Clós |
| Morocco | Black Peter |
| Netherlands | Kerstman |
| New Zealand | Santa Claus |
| Norway | Julenissen (Christmas gnome) |
| Peru | Papa Noel |
| Poland | Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas) / Gwiazdor |
| Portugal | Pai Natal |
| Romania | Mos Craciun |
| Russia | Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) |
| Scandinavia | Julenisse |
| Scottish Highlands | Daidaín na Nollaig |
| Serbia | Deda Mroz |
| South Africa | Vader Kersfees |
| Spain | El Nino Jesus / Papa Noel |
| Sweden | Jultomten (Christmas brownie) / Tomten |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Santa Claus |
| Turkey | Noel Baba |
| United Kingdom | Father Christmas / Santa Claus / Kris Kringle |
| United States | Santa Claus / Kris Kingle / St. Nick / Santa |
| Wales | Sion Corn (Chimney John) |
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