Whatever name you gave the fictional character of "Santa Claus" as a child, for the majority of Christmas enthusiasts, the name will bring back wonderful childhood memories of receiving presents from a jolly, white-haired man during the holiday season. Ah, those were the days (or are, if you're young and lucky!).

One of the characters that are most well-known around the world is undoubtedly Santa Claus.

How about the real name of the great man?

What's the real name of Santa Claus? 

The idea of Saint Nicholas, a patron saint well known for giving generous gifts to the poor, actually first appeared. The Dutch word for Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, is where the name Santa Claus originated. I bet you were unaware of that.
 

Santa Claus goes by many different names around the world, and the concept has been embraced and interpreted in a variety of ways.
 

Here are the Different Names of Santa Claus

1. English: Santa Claus / Father Christmas

In the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, "Santa Claus" or "Father Christmas" is thought to fly around the globe on a sleigh drawn by reindeer while donning a red suit.
 

The night before Christmas (between December 24 and 25), he descends the chimney and places gifts under the tree for the kids. Christmas stockings are frequently left by the fireplace by children for Santa to fill with candy and small gifts.
 

For his travels, some families will leave him a snack. In the UK, it's customary to give Santa a glass of whiskey or sherry, a mince pie (a traditional holiday pastry), and a carrot for the reindeer!

2. American-English: Kris Kringle

Some call him Kris Kringle in the US and Canada, which is a translation of the German word Christkind (Christ child).

To keep him going, it's customary to leave milk and cookies here. After all, he needs to deliver a lot of gifts!

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

In France, Père Nol is the one who brings gifts, either on the evening of December 23 or on December 25.

Le Père Fouettard, a man in black who is said to discipline the kids if they misbehave, is with him in the east of France. So, you'd better do well!

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

The man known as Papa Noel, the Spanish name for Santa Claus, is well-known for giving out presents on December 24 or 25, or on January 6. (from the Three Kings).
 

In South America, it's common for a family member to dress up as Papa Noel and give gifts to the kids while they try to figure out who it is!

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El Ninito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós may also deliver gifts in nations like Mexico and Venezuela (Santa Claus).
 

5. German: Weihnachtsmann (lit. Christmas man) 

We wouldn't be shocked if you had trouble pronouncing Santa Claus in German!

In Germany, the holiday season begins on December 6 with Nikolaustag, also known as St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas is believed to visit during the night and leave gifts for the kids in their polished shoes, which are typically left by their front doors the previous evening (kids have to do something to earn Santa's favor!).
 

In some regions of Germany, children are said to receive gifts on Christmas Eve from "Christkind." Children who want gifts before Christmas also write to him. Even the envelopes of their letters are decorated with sugar glue.
 

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

Babbo Natale is a Christmas gift-delivery legend in Italy. Beginning in early December, Italian families begin to gather gifts, which are then either opened on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning.

It's also said that on the evening of January 5, the witch, La Befana, makes her appearance and leaves the good kids' socks filled with candy, small gifts, and dried fruits.

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

Children sometimes leave a sock next to a window in certain areas of Brazil. Papai Noel will trade their lost socks for a gift if he finds them.

In Portugal, Santa Claus is referred to as Pai Natal. On Christmas Eve, he is said to deliver gifts to kids. Gifts are placed in shoes by the fireplace or under the Christmas tree.

Families in both nations either open gifts on Christmas morning or on the evening of December 24, after Midnight Mass.
 

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

Since it is the Orthodox Christmas, which is observed on January 7, Christmas is actually observed on a different calendar day in Russia.

On New Year's Eve, however, people do also exchange gifts. Ded Moroz, the Russian name and interpretation of Santa Claus, is said to work with his granddaughter Snegurka to deliver gifts. Children gather in a circle around the Christmas tree and summon Ded Moroz and Snegurka, according to tradition. The star and other lights on the Christmas tree come on when they do.