Many countries celebrate Christmas in one form or another. Each country calls their "Generous Bearer of Gifts" by a different name (i.e. St. Nick ). What are the other names in the different countries?
Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy or simply Santa) is a folk hero in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, traditionally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus.
In other countries - Throughout Europe and North America, Santa Claus is generally known as such, but in some countries the gift-giver's name, attributes, date of arrival, and even identity varies.
* Austria: Christkind ("Christ child")
* Belgium: Sinterklaas
* Bulgaria: Дядо Коледа (Diado Koleda (Grandfather Christmas)), used to be Дядо Мраз ( Diado Mraz (Grandfather Frost)) before 1989
* Canada: Santa Claus (among English speakers); Le Père Noël ("Father Christmas", among French speakers)
* Czech Republic: Svatý Mikuláš ("Saint Nicholas"); Ježíšek (diminutive form of Ježíš ("Jesus"))
* Denmark: Julemanden
* Estonia: Jõuluvana
* Finland: Joulupukki
* France: Le Père Noël ("Father Christmas"); Père Noël is also the common figure in other French-speaking areas)
* Germany: Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man"); Christkind in southern Germany
* Greece: Άγιος Βασίλης ("Saint Basil")
* Hungary: Mikulás ("Nicholas"); Jézuska or Kis Jézus ("child Jesus")
* Italy: Babbo Natale ("Father Christmas"); La Befana (similar role as Santa Claus; she rides a broomstick rather than a sleigh, although she is not normally considered a witch); Gesù Bambino ("Christ Child"); Santa Lucia (A child saint "operating" in the Northern regions, bringing gift on December the 12th. As well as the Befana, an old lady, comes out on the Epifany, Jan 6th)
* Liechtenstein: Christkind
* Netherlands & Flanders: Sinterklaas (not with Christmas but on December 5th)
* Norway: Julenissen
* Poland: Święty Mikołaj / Mikołaj ("Saint Nicholas"); Gwiazdor in some regions
* Portugal: Pai Natal ("[Father Christmas]]")
* Romania: Moş Crăciun ("Father Christmas"); Moş Niculae ("Father Nicholas")
* Russia: Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz, "Grandfather Frost)
* Spain: Los Reyes Magos ("The Three Kings"; "Magi"); the Tió de Nadal in Catalonia; Olentzero in the Basque Country.
* Sweden: Jultomten
* Switzerland: Christkind
* Turkey: Noel Baba
* United Kingdom: Father Christmas; Santa Claus
* United States: Santa Claus; Kris Kringle; Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick
* Argentina: Papá Noel
* Brazil: Papai Noel
* Costa Rica: San Nicolás or Santa Clos
* Chile: Viejito Pascuero
* Mexico: Santa Claus; Niño Dios ("child Jesus"); Los Reyes Magos
* Japan: Santa Claus
* Taiwan: Santa Claus-derived (聖誕老人 or 聖誕老公公 "Old Man Christmas")
* The Philippines: Santa Claus
South Africa: Sinterklaas; Father Christmas; Santa Claus