Claim profile
1930–1939

The 1930s

Whose names filled the books of the 1930s — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in Hebrew books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers15
  2. 2Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century13
  3. 3Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures11
  4. 4HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures9.8
  5. 5Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics6.7
  6. 6Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers6.2
  7. 7JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers5.9
  8. 8YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers5.4
  9. 9HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures4.9
  10. 10SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers4.3
  11. 11SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century3.8
  12. 12Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures3.5
  13. 13Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC3.4
  14. 14JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.1
  15. 15SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century3.1
  16. 16Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC3.0
  17. 17Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics2.5
  18. 18NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century2.3
  19. 19Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers2.0
  20. 20Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics1.8
  21. 21Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers1.7
  22. 22Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics1.6
  23. 23Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians1.3
  24. 24Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  25. 25Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.2
  26. 26Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.2
  27. 27Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers1.2
  28. 28Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  29. 29Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century1.0
  30. 30Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.95
  31. 31Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.89
  32. 32JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.87
  33. 33Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.86
  34. 34Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.84
  35. 35Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.83
  36. 36Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century0.81
  37. 37Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.79
  38. 38Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.78
  39. 39Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.77
  40. 40IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.76
  41. 41Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.67
  42. 42Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.67
  43. 43Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century0.63
  44. 44MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.63
  45. 45Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  46. 46Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.61
  47. 47Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.59
  48. 48Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.57
  49. 49Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century0.47
  50. 50Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.46
  51. 51Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.45
  52. 52JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.44
  53. 53Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.44
  54. 54PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.42
  55. 55EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.40
  56. 56JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.39
  57. 57Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.38
  58. 58ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.37
  59. 59Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.35
  60. 60IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.33
  61. 61JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.32
  62. 62Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.31
  63. 63Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.29
  64. 64EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.28
  65. 65BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.28
  66. 66Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.27
  67. 67Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.27
  68. 68HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.26
  69. 69Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.25
  70. 70Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.24
  71. 71Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.21
  72. 72Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.21
  73. 73JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.20
  74. 74Abraham GoldfadenAbraham Goldfaden1840–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.20
  75. 75Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.19
  76. 76JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.18
  77. 77Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.16
  78. 78Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.14
  79. 79RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.14
  80. 80Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.13
  81. 81OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.13
  82. 82MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.13
  83. 83Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.13
  84. 84IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.12
  85. 85MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.09
  86. 86Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.09
  87. 87Judah ben David HayyujJudah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.08
  88. 88Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.07
  89. 89Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.07
  90. 90Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.06
  91. 91IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.06
  92. 92Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.05
  93. 93SOShemariah of Negropont1275–1352 · 14th century · Academics0.05
  94. 94BHBerechiah ha-Nakdan1200–1300 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.05
  95. 95Joseph ben Judah ibn AkninJoseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.05
  96. 96LBLevi ben Abraham ben Hayyimborn 1245 · 13th century · Writers0.04
  97. 97Elia del MedigoElia del Medigo1458–1497 · 15th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Academics0.04
  98. 98Joseph Solomon DelmedigoJoseph Solomon Delmedigo1591–1655 · 17th century · Academics0.04
  99. 99Reuven RivlinReuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.04
  100. 100CBChananel ben Chushiel990–1053 · 11th century · Actors0.04

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1930s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Salvador DalíSalvador Dalí1904–1989 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists10 decades
  2. 2Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock1899–1980 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors9 decades
  3. 3J. Robert OppenheimerJ. Robert Oppenheimer1904–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists8 decades
  4. 4Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels1897–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  5. 5Marlene DietrichMarlene Dietrich1901–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors9 decades
  6. 6Ruhollah KhomeiniRuhollah Khomeini1902–1989 · Politicians5 decades
  7. 7Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers10 decades
  8. 8Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers11 decades
  9. 9George OrwellGeorge Orwell1903–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  10. 10Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  11. 11Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway1899–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  12. 12Pope Paul VIPope Paul VI1897–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures6 decades
  13. 13Heinrich HimmlerHeinrich Himmler1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  14. 14Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  15. 15Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  17. 17George VIGeorge VI1895–1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures10 decades
  18. 18Werner HeisenbergWerner Heisenberg1901–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  19. 19Georgy ZhukovGeorgy Zhukov1896–1974 · Politicians6 decades
  20. 20Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov1899–1977 · Writers7 decades
  21. 21Al CaponeAl Capone1899–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States9 decades
  22. 22HirohitoHirohito1901–1989 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures10 decades
  23. 23Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart1897–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  24. 24Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong1901–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  25. 25Enrico FermiEnrico Fermi1901–1954 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists10 decades
  26. 26Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  27. 27Cary GrantCary Grant1904–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  28. 28Erich Maria RemarqueErich Maria Remarque1898–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  29. 29Humphrey BogartHumphrey Bogart1899–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  30. 30Leni RiefenstahlLeni Riefenstahl1902–2003 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  31. 31Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8 decades
  32. 32Gary CooperGary Cooper1901–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  33. 33Karl PopperKarl Popper1902–1994 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics7 decades
  34. 34John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck1902–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  35. 35Clark GableClark Gable1901–1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  36. 36Lavrentiy BeriaLavrentiy Beria1899–1953 · Politicians7 decades
  37. 37C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis1898–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  38. 38Queen Elizabeth The Queen MotherQueen Elizabeth The Queen Mother1900–2002 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures6 decades
  39. 39F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald1896–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  40. 40Buster KeatonBuster Keaton1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  41. 41Reinhard HeydrichReinhard Heydrich1904–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  42. 42John von NeumannJohn von Neumann1903–1957 · Academics4 decades
  43. 43René MagritteRené Magritte1898–1967 · Artists8 decades
  44. 44William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner1897–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  45. 45Martin BormannMartin Bormann1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh1902–1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  47. 47Fred AstaireFred Astaire1899–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  48. 48Enzo FerrariEnzo Ferrari1898–1988 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Athletes10 decades
  49. 49Spencer TracySpencer Tracy1900–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  50. 50Anthony EdenAnthony Eden1897–1977 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians9 decades
  51. 51Juan PerónJuan Perón1895–1974 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians3 decades
  52. 52Bing CrosbyBing Crosby1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  53. 53Wallis SimpsonWallis Simpson1896–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  54. 54Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of BurmaLouis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma1900–1979 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Fulgencio BatistaFulgencio Batista1901–1973 · Politicians9 decades
  56. 56Graham GreeneGraham Greene1904–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  57. 57Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  58. 58James CagneyJames Cagney1899–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  59. 59Olav V of NorwayOlav V of Norway1903–1991 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  60. 60Gloria SwansonGloria Swanson1899–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  61. 61Yasunari KawabataYasunari Kawabata1899–1972 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers1 decades
  62. 62Georgy MalenkovGeorgy Malenkov1902–1988 · Politicians4 decades
  63. 63Babe RuthBabe Ruth1895–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  64. 64Jiddu KrishnamurtiJiddu Krishnamurti1895–1986 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics1 decades
  65. 65SukarnoSukarno1901–1970 · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians9 decades
  66. 66Umm KulthumUmm Kulthum1898–1975 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Musicians3 decades
  67. 67Leopold III of BelgiumLeopold III of Belgium1901–1983 · Historical Figures1 decades
  68. 68Friedrich HayekFriedrich Hayek1899–1992 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics0 decades
  69. 69J. Edgar HooverJ. Edgar Hoover1895–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  70. 70George GershwinGeorge Gershwin1898–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  71. 71Jean HarlowJean Harlow1911–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  72. 72Umberto II of ItalyUmberto II of Italy1904–1983 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures7 decades
  73. 73Enid BlytonEnid Blyton1897–1968 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8 decades
  74. 74Paul DiracPaul Dirac1902–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists3 decades
  75. 75Bob HopeBob Hope1903–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians9 decades
  76. 76M. C. EscherM. C. Escher1898–1972 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists2 decades
  77. 77Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  78. 78Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  79. 79Eugene WignerEugene Wigner1902–1995 · Scientists0 decades
  80. 80Vittorio De SicaVittorio De Sica1901–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  81. 81Dr. SeussDr. Seuss1904–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  82. 82Luis BuñuelLuis Buñuel1900–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors8 decades
  83. 83Saud of Saudi ArabiaSaud of Saudi Arabia1902–1969 · Historical Figures4 decades
  84. 84Erich FrommErich Fromm1900–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  85. 85Ernst JüngerErnst Jünger1895–1998 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  86. 86Mark RothkoMark Rothko1903–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  87. 87Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  88. 88Konstantin RokossovskyKonstantin Rokossovsky1896–1968 · Politicians5 decades
  89. 89Peter LorrePeter Lorre1904–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  90. 90Ray KrocRay Kroc1902–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  91. 91Theodor W. AdornoTheodor W. Adorno1903–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics8 decades
  92. 92Rudolf HössRudolf Höss1901–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  93. 93Faustina KowalskaFaustina Kowalska1905–1938 · Writers0 decades
  94. 94Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington1899–1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  95. 95Robert JohnsonRobert Johnson1911–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  96. 96Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem1901–1963 · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Georges SimenonGeorges Simenon1903–1989 · Writers9 decades
  98. 98Bhagat SinghBhagat Singh1907–1931 · Activists10 decades
  99. 99Nikolai YezhovNikolai Yezhov1895–1940 · Politicians5 decades
  100. 100Hans FrankHans Frank1900–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.