What was the name of the person who called himself the Buddha, and in which country was the Buddha born?

The individual who would later be known as the Buddha was born with the name Siddhartha Gautama. "Buddha" is not a given name, but rather a title signifying "the awakened one" or "the enlightened one," which he attained through his spiritual journey. He is also often referred to as Shakyamuni, meaning "sage of the Shakya clan," referring to his lineage.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, a location firmly established by historical and archaeological evidence as being in present-day Nepal. While Lumbini is now a significant pilgrimage site in Nepal, it was historically part of a region that encompassed areas of both modern-day Nepal and India, specifically the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains. This explains why both countries might be associated with his birthplace in general terms, though the specific site is within Nepal's borders.

Born into a royal family as a prince of the Shakya clan, Siddhartha Gautama lived a sheltered early life, shielded from suffering. However, upon encountering the realities of old age, sickness, and death, he renounced his princely life to seek a deeper understanding of existence. His quest for enlightenment led him to years of asceticism and meditation, culminating in his awakening and the foundational teachings of Buddhism.