The consensus is that Santa Claus’s origin was Saint Nicholas of Myra.
A Greek bishop of the fourth century. Some people have suggested that the modern image of Santa was created by illustrator Haddon Sundblom for the Coca-Cola corporation in the 1930s; however, various debunking websites have pointed out that the iconic red suit and white fur trimmings go back as far as 1906. Before this, the elements that make up the modern Santa diverge. Rather than coming from a single source, Santa is a collective effort, as you might imagine for a global meme; his accessories – sleigh, reindeer, presents and goat (goat?) come from traditions from all over the world.
Odin
The Norse god has been cited riding horses through the air and delivering gifts down chimneys when he wasn’t smacking down Tom Hiddleston.
The Yule Goat
A Finnish tradition, possibly related to the goats that drew Thor’s chariot, eventually being replaced with reindeer.
Tomte
From the Swedish household gnome guardian. He got taller.
Fly Agaric Toadstool
It has a white stalk and a red cap with white decorations, although it has been pointed out that before Thomas Nast started illustrating Santa with red clothes, the traditional garb was brown. Reindeer who eat these poisonous fungi sometimes act as if they can fly, although they also act as if they were drunk.
The Yule Lads
Thirteen troll brothers from Iceland who used to steal various items (candles, sausages, milk, sheep), and eat children who had been bad. As time passed they became less sociopathic, and would bring gifts – although bad children would receive rotten potatoes. As a result, the Yule Lads were downgraded to elves and forced to work unpaid overtime.
Father Christmas
From English tradition, less concerned with handing out presents to children and more about encouraging adults to eat, drink and be merry. Any specific religious affiliations were blunted by Puritan censorship, and the drinking and merriment encouraged by their political opponents.
Father Frost
Once a cruel sorcerer from Slavic tradition who brought the harsh conditions of winter and abducted children; parents had to give him presents to get their kids back. Things have improved a little since then.
Krampus
A terrifying goat-like creature draped in chains who, like Father Frost, would abduct bad children, carrying them off in a sack. The notion of a child-abducting fanged beast who had to be bribed with brandy was seen as so awful that it was ret-conned out of existence except in 17th century greeting cards.
