Find out how popular the first name Santa has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Santa by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Santa is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Santa being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Santa.

The history of the first name Santa

The name Santa is derived from the Latin word "sanctus," meaning holy or sacred. It is closely associated with the Christian religious figure Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint who was known for his generosity and gift-giving.

The name Santa has its origins in the ancient Greek name "Nikolaos," which means "victory of the people." This name was later adopted by the Romans and became "Nicolaus" in Latin. Over time, the shortened form "Santa" emerged as a popular way to refer to Saint Nicholas, particularly in Spanish and Italian-speaking regions.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of Santa Claus can be found in the 4th-century writings of St. Nicholas of Myra, a bishop known for his kindness and charitable deeds. The legend of Santa Claus as a gift-giver is believed to have originated from stories about St. Nicholas secretly delivering gifts to the poor and needy.

Throughout history, the name Santa has been associated with various historical figures and saints. One notable example is Santa Claus, the mythical figure who is said to bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The modern depiction of Santa Claus is largely based on the 19th-century poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore.

Another famous person with the name Santa was Santa Fe de Bogotá (1539-1628), a Spanish Roman Catholic nun and mystic who founded the Convent of the Conception in Bogotá, Colombia. She is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church.

In the realm of literature, Santa Teresa de Jesús (1515-1582), better known as St. Teresa of Avila, was a prominent Spanish mystic, writer, and reformer of the Carmelite Order. Her spiritual writings, such as "The Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection," have had a lasting influence on Christian spirituality.

Santa Germana Cousin (1579-1601) was a French Roman Catholic mystic and visionary who is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. She is known for her visions and spiritual experiences, which she recorded in her writings.

Santa Giovanna Antida Thouret (1765-1826) was a French Roman Catholic nun and founder of the Sisters of Charity of Besançon. She is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church for her dedication to education and social work.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Santa, reflecting its deep roots in Christian tradition and its association with holiness and sanctity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Santa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Santa, please contact us.

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