Genghis Khan was born around the year 1162. While the exact date is uncertain, the most widely accepted year of his birth is 1162, with some sources even pinpointing the 31st of May, 1162. He was born in the northern part of modern- day Mongolia, near the Onon River area. His birth name was Temüjin, and he later became the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire.