Christmas Wish CardsBlog / Santa Claus Names Around the World
Santa Claus Names Around the World
Updated November 2026
Santa is called by many names around the world, and each name tells a story about the country’s culture. This guide lists fifteen of them, explains what they mean and gives a short Christmas greeting you can use.
Santa’s names in Europe
- Father Christmas (United Kingdom): an older English figure who became linked with Santa.
- Père Noël (France): “Father Christmas” in French.
- Weihnachtsmann (Germany): “Christmas man”.
- Sinterklaas (Netherlands and Belgium): Saint Nicholas, the origin of the name Santa Claus.
- Babbo Natale (Italy): “Daddy Christmas”.
- Papá Noel (Spain): “Father Christmas”.
- Julemanden (Denmark): “the Yule man”.
- Julenisse (Norway): a gnome-like Christmas helper.
- Joulupukki (Finland): “Yule goat”, from an old tradition.
Santa’s names elsewhere
- Santa Claus (United States and Canada).
- Ded Moroz (Russia and nearby countries): “Grandfather Frost”.
- Papai Noel (Brazil): the Portuguese version of Father Christmas.
- Shengdan Laoren (China): “Christmas old man”.
- Santa-san (Japan): Santa with an honorific, as in “Mr. Santa”.
- Baba Noel (Arabic-speaking countries): “Father Noel”.
Why the names differ
Santa blends many traditions. In some countries he arrives on Christmas Eve, in others on December 6 or January 6. Local customs, such as leaving shoes or hanging stockings, influence how he is described. His name usually follows the local word for father, grandfather or Christmas.
Christmas greetings to go with the names
- Merry Christmas (English)
- Joyeux Noël (French)
- Frohe Weihnachten (German)
- Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
- Buon Natale (Italian)
- Hyvää joulua (Finnish)
- Feliz Natal (Portuguese)
Teach kids about Santa’s names
Make a map with each country and its name for Santa. Children enjoy trying the sounds. Pair the names with the greetings, and write one on a card using our Christmas wish card maker.
More Santa stories
Learn how Santa got his look in Santa Claus facts and how children follow him each year in NORAD Tracks Santa.
Gift-bringers who are not Santa
Not every country’s gift-bringer is a Santa. In Germany and Austria many families speak of the Christkind, a gentle child-like figure. In Italy, La Befana is a kind witch who brings gifts on January 5 and 6. In Spain and many Spanish-speaking countries, the Three Kings bring presents on January 6. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives in early December. In Scandinavia, household gnomes called tomte or nisse are part of Christmas stories.
When does Santa arrive?
In many countries, Santa brings gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. In Russia and nearby countries, Ded Moroz traditionally brings gifts at New Year. In the Netherlands and Belgium, Sinterklaas visits around December 5 and 6. The date depends on local customs and on the religious calendar.
How to pronounce the names
Père Noël: pair no-EL. Weihnachtsmann: VY-nakhts-man. Babbo Natale: BAHB-bo na-TAH-leh. Papá Noel: pa-PAH no-EL. Joulupukki: YOH-loo-pook-kee. Ded Moroz: dyed ma-ROHZ. Children enjoy trying the sounds, and it is a nice way to learn about other cultures.
A fun Santa names activity
Print a world map and let children place a sticker on each country with Santa’s name. Read a greeting in each language and guess the meanings. This activity works well at school and at family gatherings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Santa called in the UK?
Father Christmas, and also Santa.
What is Santa called in Germany?
Weihnachtsmann, and in some regions the Christkind brings gifts.
What does Ded Moroz mean?
Grandfather Frost.
What is Joulupukki?
The Finnish name for Santa, meaning “Yule goat”.
Which name came first, Sinterklaas or Santa?
Sinterklaas is the older Dutch name behind Santa Claus.
More Christmas guides
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