Posted on the France/Germany site. St Nicholas was a Christian priest, born in 280 AD, in Tukey. He was a wealthy man and traveled the country helping people, giving gifts of money and presents. His gifts were given late at night so his identity would remain secret. At midnight he would come out and put clothes on poor people's doorstep. Saint Nicholas was eventually named the patron saint of children. The name Santa Claus was derived from the Dutch "Sinter Klass" pronunciation of St Nicholas. Early Dutch settlers in New York brought their traditions of St Nicholas. As children from other countries tried to pronunce Sinter Klass, this soon became Santa Klass, which was settled as Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated in Germany, Belgium, Holland, Romania and many other countries.