Introduction: The Problem of an Alleged Personal Name for Buddha
Among the most dubious myths spread in Buddhism is the historical personal name of the Buddha: “Siddhartha Gautama.” This assumption finds its echo in virtually every book introductory to Buddhism—from school textbooks to popular spiritual guides. While referenced in early Buddhist scriptures, what those scriptures offer is a picture much more complex and uncertain as far as names are concerned.
This article continues a series examining historically untenable common views about the Buddha’s life, including misconceptions about his royal status, religious background, and the famous four sights that prompted his renunciation. Now we scrutinize the evidence surrounding the Buddha’s names, showing how “Siddhartha” emerges from later tradition rather than historical fact.
Absence of “Siddhartha” in Early Written Scriptures
The crucial point is that the name Siddhartha (or Siddhattha in Pāli) is completely absent from the earliest layers of Buddhist literature—particularly the suttas (discourses) of the Pali Canon, our most reliable sources for the Buddha’s life and teachings. This name only appears centuries later in texts like:
- Apadāna
- Buddhavaṁsa
- Milindapañha
The term “Siddhartha” itself is an epithet meaning “one who has accomplished (siddha) his aims (artha).” Like other honorifics applied to the Buddha—including Sugata (“well-gone”), Tathāgata (“thus-gone”), and Buddha (“awakened one”)—it describes an achievement rather than serving as a personal identifier.
Challenging Modern Assumptions on Naming
The modern convention of “Siddhartha Gautama” commits a fallacy by projecting contemporary naming practices onto ancient India. Key differences in ancient Indian naming practices include:
- Multiple clan affiliations: Gotra names served various ceremonial/social functions rather than being fixed surnames
- Contextual identity: Individuals were known by different names in different social contexts
- Epithetic tradition: Honorifics often functioned as primary identifiers
- Fluid identity markers: Names changed at life stage transitions without bureaucratic requirements
The Names of the Buddha’s Clan: Gotama and Beyond
The term “Gautama” (Pali: Gotama), frequently used in scriptures, is a clan designation (gotra) rather than a surname. Scriptural evidence includes:
- MN 53 shows the Buddha addressing Sakyan kinsfolk collectively as Gotamas
- The Sakyans used multiple clan names simultaneously, including Aṅgīrasa
The Curious Absence of Personal Names
While we know personal names of the Buddha’s relatives (Suddhodana, Mahāmāyā, Yasodharā, Rāhula, Ānanda), no early source preserves his childhood name. Possible reasons:
- Post-enlightenment naming taboo: Similar to early Buddhist art avoiding direct Buddha images
- Multiple contextual names: Different names used at different life stages
This absence of a fixed personal name may itself represent something profound. Just as early Buddhist art represented the Buddha through symbols and emptiness, this nominal absence invites contemplation beyond conceptual limitations—perhaps pointing to the ultimate ineffability of awakened being.
