(The Conversation) — You may call him Santa Claus, but the bearded guy in the red suit is a man known by many names. That doesn’t make him disreputable, just a reflection of changing American culture.

Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh. But have you ever wondered how he became a man of so many ...

Here's what we know about Santa Claus. He goes by many names – Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Papa Noel, St. Nick, Grandpa Frost, Jultomten or Babbo Natale – but the basis of Santa Claus ...

Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh. But have you never wondered how he became a man of so many ...

Valerie M. Fridland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations ...