Etymology of Claus (Santa Claus)

Etymology of Claus

Claus came from the Dutch Klaas, from Middle Dutch Niklaas, which derives from the Greek name Nikolas (or Nicholas) from Nikolaos. Nikolaos is a combination of two words, namely, Nike (victory) and Laos (people). So Nikolaos literally means victory of the people.

The real Saint Nicholas (Gr.: Ayios Nikolaos; Άγιος Νικόλαος) (15/Mar/270 – 6/Dec/346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (in Asia Minor). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.

In modern Greek
a) Nikolaos (shrt.: Nikos): Nicholas, Nick [Νικόλαος]
b) Nike: victory, nike [Νίκη]
c) Laos: people [Λαός]

Το όνομα Claus (όπως στο Santa Claus) προέρχεται από το Ολλανδικό Klaas, από το Niklaas, το οποίο προέρχεται από το Ελληνικό όνομα Νικόλαος.

Nikolaos (Νικόλαος) –> Nikolas –> Niklaas –> Klaas –> Claus

Post 63.

Saint Nicholas

 

 

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