Who is Santa Claus named after?

Answer 1

Santa Claus is named after the amazing Saint Nicholas in the beautiful catholic church.

The legend and name of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named Saint Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in which was in modern-day Turkey. He was much admired for his piety and kindness.

St. Nicholas then became the subject of many legends. It is alleged that he gave away all of his wealth that he inherited and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick people along his route. One of the best known of the St. Nicholas stories is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into prostitution by their father by providing them with a small dowry so that they could be married. Without a dowry many females were not considered "acceptable."

Over the course of many years, St. Nicholas's popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, which is believed to be December 6. This was also traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married.

The name Santa or Santa Claus seems to have evolved from Nicholas' Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas.