Confucius’s personal name was Kong Qiu, according to traditional Chinese biographies.
He is also known as Kong Zhongni, with “Zhongni” serving as a courtesy name. “Confucius” is the Latinized form of Kong Fuzi, meaning “Master Kong.” He belonged to the Kong clan of the state of Lu, in what is now Shandong Province.
Traditional sources place Confucius’s birth in 551 BCE and his death in 479 BCE. He became famous as a teacher, political thinker, and compiler or transmitter of ancient Chinese traditions. His teachings were later recorded mainly in the Analects, a collection of sayings and conversations assembled by his followers.
A common mix-up is confusing Kong Qiu with Mencius, whose personal name was Meng Ke. Laozi and Zhuangzi were associated with the Taoist tradition rather than being names of Confucius. Confucius’s title, Kong Fuzi, is the source of the English word “Confucius,” not his personal name.