Claim profile
1940–1949

The 1940s

Whose names filled the books of the 1940s — 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 1940s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,288German3,531French3,290Italian1,866Spanish1,287Russian599Hebrew133Chinese45
  1. 1Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers17
  2. 2Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics11
  3. 3Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century10
  4. 4HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures9.6
  5. 5Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures9.5
  6. 6JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers7.1
  7. 7Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC4.9
  8. 8HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures4.6
  9. 9Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers4.6
  10. 10SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.2
  11. 11SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century3.9
  12. 12Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers3.6
  13. 13NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century3.5
  14. 14Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC3.4
  15. 15SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.2
  16. 16JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.0
  17. 17YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers2.6
  18. 18Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers2.6
  19. 19Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics2.3
  20. 20Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century2.2
  21. 21Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians2.2
  22. 22Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures2.1
  23. 23Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  24. 24Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics1.8
  25. 25Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century1.7
  26. 26Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  27. 27Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics1.5
  28. 28Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century1.4
  29. 29Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.4
  30. 30Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors1.3
  31. 31Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  32. 32MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century1.2
  33. 33JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.2
  34. 34Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers1.2
  35. 35Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics1.1
  36. 36Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.1
  37. 37Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers1.1
  38. 38Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.94
  39. 39Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.92
  40. 40Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.86
  41. 41Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.86
  42. 42Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.85
  43. 43Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.84
  44. 44Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.62
  45. 45ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  46. 46Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.60
  47. 47JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.58
  48. 48Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.55
  49. 49Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  50. 50Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.49
  51. 51JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.49
  52. 52Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.47
  53. 53IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.47
  54. 54HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.45
  55. 55Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.44
  56. 56EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.42
  57. 57Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.39
  58. 58JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.39
  59. 59Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.39
  60. 60Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.37
  61. 61Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.36
  62. 62Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.36
  63. 63Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.35
  64. 64Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.35
  65. 65IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.35
  66. 66PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.33
  67. 67Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.32
  68. 68Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.27
  69. 69MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.25
  70. 70Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.25
  71. 71OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.24
  72. 72BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.24
  73. 73JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.24
  74. 74Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians0.24
  75. 75Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.23
  76. 76MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.22
  77. 77Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.20
  78. 78Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.20
  79. 79Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.19
  80. 80RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.19
  81. 81EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.18
  82. 82IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.18
  83. 83Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.18
  84. 84Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.17
  85. 85Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.15
  86. 86Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.15
  87. 87Judah ben David HayyujJudah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.14
  88. 88Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.14
  89. 89IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.13
  90. 90JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.12
  91. 91Tzvi AshkenaziTzvi Ashkenazi1660–1718 · 17th century0.12
  92. 92Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.11
  93. 93Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.10
  94. 94CBChananel ben Chushiel990–1053 · 11th century · Actors0.09
  95. 95Abraham GoldfadenAbraham Goldfaden1840–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.09
  96. 96Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.09
  97. 97TBTobiah ben Eliezer1080–1150 · 12th century · Actors0.08
  98. 98Joseph ben Judah ibn AkninJoseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.07
  99. 99Joseph Solomon DelmedigoJoseph Solomon Delmedigo1591–1655 · 17th century · Academics0.06
  100. 100Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.06

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1940s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Frida KahloFrida Kahlo1907–1954 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Artists8 decades
  2. 2Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  3. 3Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan1911–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  4. 4Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · Politicians7 decades
  5. 5Anne FrankAnne Frank1929–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors7 decades
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  7. 7Pope John Paul IPope John Paul I1912–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2 decades
  8. 8Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  9. 9Alan TuringAlan Turing1912–1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics4 decades
  10. 10Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  11. 11Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  12. 12Mother TeresaMother Teresa1910–1997 · Musicians9 decades
  13. 13Hannah ArendtHannah Arendt1906–1975 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  14. 14Rosa ParksRosa Parks1913–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  15. 15Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  16. 16Yuri AndropovYuri Andropov1914–1984 · Politicians4 decades
  17. 17Salvador AllendeSalvador Allende1908–1973 · Politicians11 decades
  18. 18John WayneJohn Wayne1907–1979 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  19. 19Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · Politicians8 decades
  20. 20Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  21. 21Katharine HepburnKatharine Hepburn1907–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  22. 22Gerald FordGerald Ford1913–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  23. 23Ayn RandAyn Rand1905–1982 · Writers3 decades
  24. 24Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  25. 25Astrid LindgrenAstrid Lindgren1907–2002 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers6 decades
  26. 26Dmitri ShostakovichDmitri Shostakovich1906–1975 · Musicians8 decades
  27. 27Wernher von BraunWernher von Braun1912–1977 · Scientists7 decades
  28. 28Adolf EichmannAdolf Eichmann1906–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Josephine BakerJosephine Baker1906–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  30. 30Hedy LamarrHedy Lamarr1914–2000 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Actors3 decades
  31. 31Henry FondaHenry Fonda1905–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  32. 32Konstantin ChernenkoKonstantin Chernenko1911–1985 · Politicians4 decades
  33. 33Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  34. 34Samuel BeckettSamuel Beckett1906–1989 · Writers7 decades
  35. 35Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa1910–1998 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors6 decades
  36. 36Eva BraunEva Braun1912–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists8 decades
  37. 37Vivien LeighVivien Leigh1913–1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  38. 38James StewartJames Stewart1908–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors12 decades
  39. 39Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  40. 40Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  41. 41PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures8 decades
  42. 42Greta GarboGreta Garbo1905–1990 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors10 decades
  43. 43Ian FlemingIan Fleming1908–1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  44. 44Bette DavisBette Davis1908–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Enver HoxhaEnver Hoxha1908–1985 · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Oskar SchindlerOskar Schindler1908–1974 · Founders4 decades
  47. 47Josef MengeleJosef Mengele1911–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors4 decades
  48. 48Albert SpeerAlbert Speer1905–1981 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Architects9 decades
  49. 49Jackson PollockJackson Pollock1912–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists7 decades
  50. 50Aristotle OnassisAristotle Onassis1906–1975 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Founders6 decades
  51. 51Claus von StauffenbergClaus von Stauffenberg1907–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany4 decades
  52. 52Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  53. 53Milton FriedmanMilton Friedman1912–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics9 decades
  54. 54Joan CrawfordJoan Crawford1905–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  55. 55Howard HughesHoward Hughes1905–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists9 decades
  56. 56Burt LancasterBurt Lancaster1913–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  57. 57Alec GuinnessAlec Guinness1914–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  58. 58Gene KellyGene Kelly1912–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  59. 59Jesse OwensJesse Owens1913–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes9 decades
  60. 60Viktor FranklViktor Frankl1905–1997 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Doctors6 decades
  61. 61Stepan BanderaStepan Bandera1909–1959 · Politicians1 decades
  62. 62Edward TellerEdward Teller1908–2003 · Scientists8 decades
  63. 63Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8 decades
  64. 64Barbara StanwyckBarbara Stanwyck1907–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  65. 65Errol FlynnErrol Flynn1909–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  66. 66Tenzing NorgayTenzing Norgay1914–1986 · Historical Figures3 decades
  67. 67Faisal of Saudi ArabiaFaisal of Saudi Arabia1906–1975 · Historical Figures2 decades
  68. 68Tennessee WilliamsTennessee Williams1911–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  69. 69Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  70. 70Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  71. 71Nelson Aldrich RockefellerNelson Aldrich Rockefeller1908–1979 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  72. 72Kurt GödelKurt Gödel1906–1978 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics5 decades
  73. 73William S. BurroughsWilliam S. Burroughs1914–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  74. 74Ginger RogersGinger Rogers1911–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  75. 75Dietrich BonhoefferDietrich Bonhoeffer1906–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  76. 76Billy WilderBilly Wilder1906–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  77. 77Osamu DazaiOsamu Dazai1909–1948 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  78. 78Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy1908–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  79. 79Elia KazanElia Kazan1909–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  80. 80David NivenDavid Niven1910–1983 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  81. 81Robert A. HeinleinRobert A. Heinlein1907–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  82. 82Vincent PriceVincent Price1911–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  83. 83James CallaghanJames Callaghan1912–2005 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians8 decades
  84. 84Tove JanssonTove Jansson1914–2001 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  85. 85John HustonJohn Huston1906–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors12 decades
  86. 86Burgess MeredithBurgess Meredith1907–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  87. 87Robert WadlowRobert Wadlow1918–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  88. 88Kwame NkrumahKwame Nkrumah1909–1972 · Politicians7 decades
  89. 89Julia ChildJulia Child1912–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  90. 90Otto von HabsburgOtto von Habsburg1912–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  91. 91Woody GuthrieWoody Guthrie1912–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  92. 92Otto SkorzenyOtto Skorzeny1908–1975 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists6 decades
  93. 93Simo HäyhäSimo Häyhä1905–2002 · Historical Figures0 decades
  94. 94Lucille BallLucille Ball1911–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  95. 95Baba VangaBaba Vanga1911–19960 decades
  96. 96Sergei KorolevSergei Korolev1906–1966 · Scientists6 decades
  97. 97Sayyid QutbSayyid Qutb1906–1966 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Activists4 decades
  98. 98Carole LombardCarole Lombard1908–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Dag HammarskjöldDag Hammarskjöld1905–1961 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians7 decades
  100. 100Daphne du MaurierDaphne du Maurier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 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.