Santa Claus?

So is Santa Claus called Santa "claus" because he has claws??? I was completely taken aback by this observation from Avi. He comes up with such observations sometimes that I am blown away. I had to then explain how he came about that name...
Today, Avi wanted to go out and play with the neighbor's kids. All three of them being girls. So Atul threatened him by saying that he would tell Avi's best friends (who thank goodness are boys) that he plays with girls. What does Avi do when he hears this? Shrugs his shoulders and says but I play with girls at school. As in dumbo, give these threats some thought before you give them to me!!