News | Sunday, 28 December 2008

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Baba who?

The names of Santa Claus in various countries… with Malta having an exceptional four variations.

Afghanistan - Baba Chaghaloo
Albania - Babadimri
Austria - Weihnachtsmann (not Nikolaus, who is celebrated on 6 December) Note: The Christkind is the traditional giftbringer in most parts of Austria.
Armenia - Kaghand Papik
Azerbaijan - Shakhta baba (Şaxta baba)
Brazil - Papai Noel
Bulgaria - Dyado Koleda
Canada - Santa Claus, Père Noël
Chile - Viejito Pascuero
China - Shengdan laoren (Cantonese: Sing Dan Lo Yan, literally The Old Man of Christmas)
Cornish language - Tas Nadelik
Croatia - Djed Božićnjak i Djeda Mraz
Czech Republic - Ježíšek
Denmark - Julemanden
Ecuador - Papa Noel
Egypt - Baba Noël
Estonia - Jõuluvana
Finland - Finnish: Joulupukki, Swedish: Julgubben
France and French Canada - Père Noël
Germany - Weihnachtsmann (not Nikolaus, who is celebrated on December 6th). Greece / Cyprus - Άyos Vasílis
Hungary - Mikulás or Télapó (Winter Father)
Iran - Baba Noel
Iraq - Baba Noel
Iceland - Jólasveinninn
Indonesia - Sinterklas
Ireland - Daidí na Nollag
Italy - Babbo Natale
Japan - Santakurōsu
Korea - Santa Kullosu
Latin - Pater Natalis or Sanctus Nicholaus
Latvia - Ziemassvētku vecītis
Lebanon - Papa Noël
Lithuania - Kalėdų Senelis
Macedonia - Dedo Mraz
Malta - Christmas Father, Father Christmas, San Niklaw/San Nikola(Saint Nicholas), Santa Klaws(Santa Claus)
Mexico - El Niñito Dios (Child God, meaning Jesus)
Netherlands - Kerstman
Norway - Julenissen
Pakistan - Christmas Baba
Peru - Papá Noel
Philippines - Santa Klaus
Poland - Święty Mikołaj, Gwiazdor
Portugal - Pai Natal
Romania - Moş Crăciun
Russia - Ded Moroz (meaning Grandfather Frost)
Sápmi - Juovlastállu
Sardinia - Babbu Nadale
Scotland - Daidaín na Nollaig (Gaelic); Father Christmas (English)
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina - Božić Bata and more often Deda Mraz
Sri Lanka - Naththal Seeya
South Africa (Afrikaans) - Vader Kersfees or Kersvader
Spain - Papá Noel (Daddy or Father Christmas) or San Nicolás or Santa Claus
Slovakia - Ježiško
Slovenia - Božiček
Sweden - Jultomten
Switzerland - Samichlaus
Turkey - Noel Baba (Note: In Turkey Noel Baba is related with New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas since Turks do not celebrate Christmas.)
Ukraine - Did Moroz
United States - Santa Claus
Wales - Siôn Corn (Welsh); Father Christmas (English)
Ded Moroz (eastern Slavs)
Sancte Claus, Sinnter Klaus, Sankt Niklaus (Dutch and German areas)

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