Kelpius was born Johann Kelp in 1667, near the town of Schäßburg, Transylvania (modern–day Sighişoara, Romania) and attended the University of Altdorf, near Nuremberg, where his name was Latinized to Johannes Kelpius according to the custom of scholars of his days.
Johann Kelp, born in 1667 near Schäßburg, Transylvania (now Sighişoara, Romania), received an education at the University of Altdorf, near Nuremberg, where his name was officially changed to Johannes Kelpius by scholarly convention.