Santa Claus is traditionally called Joulupukki in Finland.
The Finnish word combines joulu, meaning Christmas, with pukki, meaning goat. The name preserves a connection to the older Yule-goat tradition, although modern Joulupukki is generally portrayed as a kindly bearded gift-bringer resembling Santa Claus.
Finnish Christmas folklore gives Joulupukki a distinctive regional identity. Traditional stories place his home at Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland, while modern tourism presents Rovaniemi as his official hometown. He may be depicted as visiting homes personally rather than simply arriving unseen during the night.
The word’s goat element can surprise international audiences because contemporary Finnish Joulupukki usually wears a red Santa-style outfit. It reflects historical European winter customs rather than an indication that the modern character is literally a goat. Finnish celebrations also include candles, Christmas foods, and family gatherings.