Where does “Sint-Nicolaas” come from?
Sint-Nicolaas (Dutch) comes from Dutch Sint, from Middle Dutch sent, from Old French seint, from Latin sānctus, from Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος, from Ancient Greek Ἰακώβ, from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב — heel of the foot; heel.
Ancestry of “Sint-Nicolaas”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Dutch | Sint | Saint; Sinterklaas |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | sent | Alternative form of sint |
| 3 | Old French | seint | Alternative form of saint |
| 4 | Latin | sānctus | — |
| 5 | Latin | Iacobus | Jacob; James; Saint James |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | Ἰάκωβος | — |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | Ἰακώβ | — |
| 8 | Hebrew | יַעֲקֹב | Jacob |
| 9 | Hebrew | עָקֵב | heel of the foot; heel |