Claim profile
1960–1969

The 1960s

Whose names filled the books of the 1960s — 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 Spanish books during the 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers10
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers8.7
  3. 3Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · 20th century · Politicians6.8
  4. 4John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal6.2
  5. 5Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers6.2
  6. 6Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians4.9
  7. 7Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians4.7
  8. 8Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures4.5
  9. 9Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado1875–1939 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3.6
  10. 10Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.6
  11. 11Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures3.4
  12. 12John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3.3
  13. 13Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.3
  14. 14Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3.3
  15. 15Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.0
  16. 16Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.0
  17. 17Juan Ramón JiménezJuan Ramón Jiménez1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.8
  18. 18José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.5
  19. 19Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.4
  20. 20JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.2
  21. 21Gabriela MistralGabriela Mistral1889–1957 · 20th century · Writers2.2
  22. 22Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.1
  23. 23Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists2.1
  24. 24Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.0
  25. 25Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  26. 26Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · 20th century · Writers1.9
  27. 27Cipriano CastroCipriano Castro1858–1924 · 19th century · Politicians1.9
  28. 28Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.8
  29. 29José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers1.8
  30. 30Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.8
  31. 31Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.8
  32. 32Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.7
  33. 33Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.6
  34. 34Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.6
  35. 35Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.5
  36. 36Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers1.5
  37. 37Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.5
  38. 38Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.5
  39. 39Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers1.4
  40. 40Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.4
  41. 41Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.4
  42. 42Hipólito YrigoyenHipólito Yrigoyen1850–1933 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.4
  43. 43Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.4
  44. 44César VallejoCésar Vallejo1892–1938 · 20th century · Writers1.3
  45. 45Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.3
  46. 46John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  47. 47Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists1.3
  48. 48Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  49. 49Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  50. 50Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists1.2
  51. 51Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century1.2
  52. 52Pío BarojaPío Baroja1872–1956 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.2
  53. 53Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.2
  54. 54Juan Vicente GómezJuan Vicente Gómez1857–1935 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  55. 55John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.2
  56. 56Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda1750–1816 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  57. 57Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.1
  58. 58Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.1
  59. 59Luis de Salazar y CastroLuis de Salazar y Castro1658–1734 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.1
  60. 60Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  61. 61José Ortega y GassetJosé Ortega y Gasset1883–1955 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics1.1
  62. 62Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.1
  63. 63Pancho VillaPancho Villa1878–1923 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists1.1
  64. 64Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.1
  65. 65Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.0
  66. 66El GrecoEl Greco1541–1614 · 16th century · Artists1.0
  67. 67Diego RiveraDiego Rivera1886–1957 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Designers1.0
  68. 68Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.99
  69. 69Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.97
  70. 70Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.96
  71. 71Octavio PazOctavio Paz1914–1998 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers0.94
  72. 72Fernán CaballeroFernán Caballero1796–1877 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.93
  73. 73LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.92
  74. 74Roque Sáenz PeñaRoque Sáenz Peña1851–1914 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.90
  75. 75Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.88
  76. 76Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.86
  77. 77Camilo José CelaCamilo José Cela1916–2002 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.85
  78. 78Gil VicenteGil Vicente1465–1536 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers0.85
  79. 79Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.85
  80. 80Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.82
  81. 81Juan Bautista AlberdiJuan Bautista Alberdi1810–1884 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.82
  82. 82Vicente AleixandreVicente Aleixandre1898–1984 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.79
  83. 83Esteban Echeverría MamaniEsteban Echeverría Mamani1805–1851 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.78
  84. 84Juan MontalvoJuan Montalvo1832–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.77
  85. 85Francisco de Paula SantanderFrancisco de Paula Santander1792–1840 · 19th century · Politicians0.76
  86. 86Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.76
  87. 87Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.75
  88. 88Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.74
  89. 89Juan de CastellanosJuan de Castellanos1522–1607 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.74
  90. 90Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.73
  91. 91Juan Ponce de LeónJuan Ponce de León1460–1521 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.72
  92. 92Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists0.72
  93. 93Mateo AlemánMateo Alemán1547–1614 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.71
  94. 94María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.71
  95. 95Francisco SuárezFrancisco Suárez1548–1617 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.71
  96. 96Cornelio SaavedraCornelio Saavedra1759–1829 · 18th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.70
  97. 97Che GuevaraChe Guevara1928–1967 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Activists0.70
  98. 98Domingo de SotoDomingo de Soto1494–1560 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.69
  99. 99José Antonio Primo de RiveraJosé Antonio Primo de Rivera1903–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.67
  100. 100Fructuoso RiveraFructuoso Rivera1784–1854 · 19th century · Politicians0.66

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1960s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Elizabeth IIElizabeth II1926–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures8 decades
  2. 2Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI1927–2022 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures2 decades
  3. 3Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe1926–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Che GuevaraChe Guevara1928–1967 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Activists7 decades
  5. 5Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · Politicians4 decades
  6. 6Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · Politicians6 decades
  7. 7Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García Márquez1927–2014 · Writers7 decades
  8. 8Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · Politicians10 decades
  9. 9Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.1929–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  10. 10Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  11. 11Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · Politicians4 decades
  12. 12Clint EastwoodClint Eastwoodborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  13. 13Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  14. 14Audrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn1929–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  15. 15Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher1925–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians6 decades
  16. 16Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong1930–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  17. 17Sean ConnerySean Connery1930–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  18. 18Sophia LorenSophia Lorenborn 1934 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  19. 19Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor1932–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  20. 20Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  21. 21Andy WarholAndy Warhol1928–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  22. 22Warren BuffettWarren Buffettborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  23. 23Malcolm XMalcolm X1925–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  24. 24Jane GoodallJane Goodall1934–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics5 decades
  25. 25Yasser ArafatYasser Arafat1929–2004 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians5 decades
  26. 26Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  27. 27Noam ChomskyNoam Chomskyborn 1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  28. 28Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Grace KellyGrace Kelly1929–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  30. 30Pol PotPol Pot1925–1998 · Politicians5 decades
  31. 31Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  32. 32Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  33. 33Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen1934–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians5 decades
  34. 34Patrice LumumbaPatrice Lumumba1925–1961 · Politicians8 decades
  35. 35Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9 decades
  36. 36Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  37. 37Michael CaineMichael Caineborn 1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  38. 38Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy Onassis1929–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists4 decades
  39. 39Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  40. 40Paul NewmanPaul Newman1925–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  41. 41Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7 decades
  42. 42Raúl CastroRaúl Castroborn 1931 · Politicians9 decades
  43. 43Charles MansonCharles Manson1934–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  44. 44Andrei TarkovskyAndrei Tarkovsky1932–1986 · Directors5 decades
  45. 45George SorosGeorge Sorosborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  46. 46Maggie SmithMaggie Smith1934–2024 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  47. 47Idi AminIdi Amin1925–2003 · Politicians5 decades
  48. 48Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy1925–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  49. 49Robert DuvallRobert Duvall1931–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  50. 50Gene HackmanGene Hackman1930–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  51. 51Roger MooreRoger Moore1927–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  52. 52Buzz AldrinBuzz Aldrinborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  53. 53Judi DenchJudi Denchborn 1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  54. 54Yoko OnoYoko Onoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists5 decades
  55. 55Lev YashinLev Yashin1929–1990 · Footballersnot measured—
  56. 56Shirley MacLaineShirley MacLaineborn 1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  57. 57AkihitoAkihitoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures8 decades
  58. 58Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians6 decades
  59. 59Christopher PlummerChristopher Plummer1929–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors7 decades
  60. 60Alfredo Di StéfanoAlfredo Di Stéfano1926–2014 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  61. 61Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  62. 62Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  63. 63Mobutu Sese SekoMobutu Sese Seko1930–1997 · Politicians5 decades
  64. 64Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  65. 65Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  66. 66Peter O'ToolePeter O'Toole1932–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  67. 67David AttenboroughDavid Attenboroughborn 1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  68. 68Ferenc PuskásFerenc Puskás1927–2006 · Footballers0 decades
  69. 69Steve McQueenSteve McQueen1930–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  70. 70James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  71. 71Rupert MurdochRupert Murdochborn 1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders5 decades
  72. 72Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej1927–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  73. 73Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima1925–1970 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers6 decades
  74. 74Karl LagerfeldKarl Lagerfeld1933–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Designers4 decades
  75. 75Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  76. 76Omar SharifOmar Sharif1932–2015 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Actors6 decades
  77. 77Carl SaganCarl Sagan1934–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists6 decades
  78. 78Richard BurtonRichard Burton1925–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors10 decades
  79. 79Tony CurtisTony Curtis1925–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  80. 80Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  81. 81Sylvia PlathSylvia Plath1932–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  82. 82Philip K. DickPhilip K. Dick1928–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  83. 83Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier1927–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  84. 84John Forbes Nash Jr.John Forbes Nash Jr.1928–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  85. 85Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak1928–2020 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians4 decades
  86. 86Bud SpencerBud Spencer1929–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  87. 87Maya AngelouMaya Angelou1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  88. 88Leslie NielsenLeslie Nielsen1926–2010 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  89. 89John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  90. 90Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin1929–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  91. 91Shirley TempleShirley Temple1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  92. 92William ShatnerWilliam Shatnerborn 1931 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  93. 93Mel BrooksMel Brooksborn 1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians5 decades
  94. 94Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  95. 95Hafez al-AssadHafez al-Assad1930–2000 · Politicians5 decades
  96. 96Albert II of BelgiumAlbert II of Belgiumborn 1934 · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Leonard NimoyLeonard Nimoy1931–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  98. 98Toni MorrisonToni Morrison1931–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  99. 99Angela LansburyAngela Lansbury1925–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  100. 100DalidaDalida1933–1987 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Musicians8 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.