The origin of Santa Claus In order to understand Santa Claus' appearance today, you have to go back to the year 260 A.D., when the origin of Santa, Saint Nicholas, was born in present day Turkey.

When Americans catch a glimpse of Santa Claus — whether in movies or at a shopping mall — he usually looks the same. He's rotund, sporting a long white beard and a fluffy red-and-white hat.