Santa Claus is basically a mythical character still in the form of visual adaptation.
Santa Claus is popular name of Nicholas of Myra. He became famous during the middle Ages and thousand of churches are dedicated to him. Though St. Nicholas said to be died on 6th December, A.D. 342 but he is still alive in the heart of children as their dearest Santa Claus.
The name Santa Claus originally derived from the dutch version of Sint Klaas. In United States and in Canada he is known as Santa Claus.
Santa Claus his most popular name in the world. But he is also known as Shenhdan Laoren in China and U K he is Father Christmas with longer coat and beard. Like this he is Pere Noel in France, Papa Noel in Brazil and Peru, Christindl (the Christ Child) in Germany and Babbo Natale of Italy. The children of Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico get their Christmas gifts from el Nicesus.
The gift giving tradition actually came from the generous nature of St. Nicholas. It is said that Santa Claus gives gold coins to the needy people.