215,950 profiles ranked

← Fame through time1980-1989

The 1980s

Whose names filled the books of the 1980s - 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 1980s, whenever they lived.

  1. 1Haggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures10
  2. 2Moshe Dayan1915-1981 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians8.7
  3. 3Menachem Begin1913-1992 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians8.5
  4. 4Rav Ashi352-427 · 4th century8.4
  5. 5Ahad Ha'am1856-1927 · 19th century · Russia · Writers8.3
  6. 6Shimon Peres1923-2016 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians7.6
  7. 7Josephus37-100 · 1st century · Writers7.5
  8. 8Sabbatai Zevi1626-1676 · 17th century · Turkey · Religious Figures7.4
  9. 9Saadia Gaon882-942 · 10th century · Academics7.1
  10. 10Golda Meir1898-1978 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians6.3
  11. 11Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150-1217 · 12th century · Academics4.4
  12. 12Moshe Sharett1894-1965 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians4.3
  13. 13Yanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers4.1
  14. 14Paul the Apostle5-66 · 1st century · Turkey · Writers4.1
  15. 15Hai Gaon939-1038 · 10th century · Writers3.9
  16. 16Yitzhak Rabin1922-1995 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.9
  17. 17Levi Eshkol1895-1969 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.8
  18. 18Habakkuk626 BC-600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures3.4
  19. 19Rabbeinu Tam1100-1171 · 12th century · France · Writers3.3
  20. 20Johanan ben Zakai50 BC-70 · 1st millennium BC3.3
  21. 21Yitzhak Shamir1915-2012 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.1
  22. 22Nathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century2.9
  23. 23Moses Sofer1762-1839 · 18th century2.9
  24. 24Hayyim ben Joseph Vital1542-1620 · 16th century · Turkey · Musicians2.7
  25. 25Samuel ibn Naghrillah993-1055 · 11th century · Writers2.7
  26. 26Shimon bar Yochai100-160 · 2nd century2.6
  27. 27Simeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century2.6
  28. 28Ariel Sharon1928-2014 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians2.5
  29. 29Amos Oz1939-2018 · 20th century · Israel · Writers2.4
  30. 30Ehud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians2.3
  31. 31Nachman of Breslov1772-1810 · 19th century · Russia1.9
  32. 32Isaac Abrabanel1437-1508 · 15th century · Academics1.8
  33. 33Nathan of Gaza1644-1680 · 17th century · Turkey · Writers1.7
  34. 34Chaim Herzog1918-1997 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians1.6
  35. 35Hillel the Elder50 BC-100 · 1st millennium BC1.6
  36. 36Jacob Emden1697-1776 · 18th century · Germany1.6
  37. 37Reuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians1.6
  38. 38Moses ben Jacob Cordovero1522-1570 · 16th century · Turkey · Actors1.3
  39. 39Simeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century1.3
  40. 40Mendele Mocher Sforim1835-1917 · 19th century · Belarus · Writers1.2
  41. 41Shneur Zalman of Liadi1745-1812 · 18th century · Russia · Academics1.2
  42. 42Judas Maccabeus500 BC-160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.2
  43. 43Amram Gaon810-875 · 9th century1.1
  44. 44Baal Shem Tov1698-1760 · 18th century1.1
  45. 45Chaim ibn Attar1696-1743 · 18th century · Morocco0.95
  46. 46Jonathan Eybeschutz1690-1764 · 18th century · Germany0.91
  47. 47Chaim Joseph David Azulai1724-1806 · 18th century · Turkey · Historical Figures0.73
  48. 48Hasdai Crescas1340-1410 · 14th century · Academics0.73
  49. 49Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505-1576 · 16th century · Turkey · Writers0.72
  50. 50Menasseh Ben Israel1604-1657 · 17th century · Netherlands · Academics0.71
  51. 51Benjamin of Tudela1130-1174 · 12th century · Spain · Historical Figures0.70
  52. 52Joseph Nasi1524-1579 · 16th century · Turkey · Writers0.70
  53. 53Joseph Albo1380-1444 · 15th century · Academics0.69
  54. 54Israel ben Moses Najara1555-1628 · 16th century · Turkey · Writers0.67
  55. 55Immanuel the Roman1260-1328 · 13th century · Writers0.64
  56. 56Shalom Shabazi1619-1719 · 17th century · Turkey · Writers0.63
  57. 57Mordecai Yoffe1530-1612 · 16th century · Poland0.62
  58. 58Solomon Molcho1500-1532 · 16th century · Academics0.61
  59. 59Yehuda Alharizi1165-1225 · 13th century · Writers0.59
  60. 60Chaim Weizmann1874-1952 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians0.57
  61. 61Moshe Alshich1508-1593 · 16th century · Turkey0.52
  62. 62Azariah dei Rossi1513-1578 · 16th century · Writers0.49
  63. 63Isaac ben Moses Arama1420-1494 · 15th century0.47
  64. 64Abraham bar Hiyya1070-1136 · 12th century · Academics0.47
  65. 65Baruch Spinoza1632-1677 · 17th century · Netherlands · Academics0.46
  66. 66Bahya ben Asher1255-1340 · 13th century · Writers0.46
  67. 67Ishtori Haparchi1280-1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.45
  68. 68Isaac the Blind1160-1235 · 12th century · France · Writers0.44
  69. 69Zerachiah haLevi of Girona1130-1186 · 12th century · France · Writers0.44
  70. 70Shmuel Yosef Agnon1887-1970 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.42
  71. 71Menaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249-1306 · 13th century · France · Musicians0.41
  72. 72Joseph Kimhi1105-1170 · 12th century · France · Writers0.40
  73. 73Hanina ben Dosa40-75 · 1st century0.38
  74. 74Gaon of Vilnius1720-1797 · 18th century · Russia0.38
  75. 75Moses ben Joshua1300-1362 · 14th century · Academics0.36
  76. 76Yonah Gerondi1210-1263 · 13th century · Academics0.34
  77. 77Jonah ibn Janah990-1050 · 11th century · Academics0.34
  78. 78Eliezer ben Hurcanus100-200 · 2nd century0.33
  79. 79Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470-1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.32
  80. 80Eleazar ben Killir600-700 · 7th century · Writers0.31
  81. 81Dunash ben Labrat920-990 · 10th century · Morocco · Writers0.31
  82. 82Joseph Caspi1280-1345 · 14th century · France · Academics0.26
  83. 83Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740-1809 · 18th century · Russia · Musicians0.22
  84. 84Judah ben David Hayyuj945-1000 · 10th century · Writers0.20
  85. 85Herod Archelaus23 BC-18 · 1st century · Models0.20
  86. 86Jedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270-1340 · 14th century · France · Academics0.18
  87. 87Profiat Duran1350-1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.18
  88. 88Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451-1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.16
  89. 89Joseph ibn Tzaddik1075-1149 · 12th century · Academics0.16
  90. 90Ehud Barakborn 1942 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians0.16
  91. 91Joel Sirkis1561-1640 · 16th century0.14
  92. 92Shabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.14
  93. 93Rashbam1080-1158 · 12th century0.14
  94. 94Jacob ben Asher1269-1343 · 14th century · Writers0.13
  95. 95Benjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians0.13
  96. 96Eleazar ben Arach100-200 · 2nd century0.13
  97. 97David Grossmanborn 1954 · 20th century · Israel · Writers0.12
  98. 98Isaac ibn Ezra1114-1158 · 12th century · Spain · Writers0.11
  99. 99Moses Kimhi1127-1190 · 12th century · France0.11
  100. 100Mahmoud Darwish1941-2008 · 20th century · Palestine · Writers0.09

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1980s, ranked where coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Donald Trumpborn 1946 · United States · Politicians4 decades
  2. 2Vladimir Putinborn 1952 · Russia · Politicians3 decades
  3. 3George W. Bushborn 1946 · United States · Politicians4 decades
  4. 4Xi Jinpingborn 1953 · China · Politicians3 decades
  5. 5Bill Clintonborn 1946 · United States · Politicians4 decades
  6. 6Benjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · Israel · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Freddie Mercury1946-1991 · United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  8. 8Robin Williams1951-2014 · United States · Actors7 decades
  9. 9Steven Spielbergborn 1946 · United States · Directors5 decades
  10. 10Arnold Schwarzeneggerborn 1947 · Austria · Actors4 decades
  11. 11Narendra Modiborn 1950 · India · Politicians2 decades
  12. 12Jackie Chanborn 1954 · United States · Actorsnot measured-
  13. 13David Bowie1947-2016 · United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Meryl Streepborn 1949 · United States · Actors4 decades
  15. 15Bob Marley1945-1981 · Jamaica · Musicians5 decades
  16. 16Dolly Parton1946-2026 · United States · Musicians5 decades
  17. 17Stephen Kingborn 1947 · United States · Writers8 decades
  18. 18Sylvester Stalloneborn 1946 · United States · Actors5 decades
  19. 19Hugo Chávez1954-2013 · Venezuela · Politicians3 decades
  20. 20Hillary Clintonborn 1947 · United States · Politicians3 decades
  21. 21Cherborn 1946 · United States · Musiciansnot measured-
  22. 22Elton Johnborn 1947 · United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  23. 23Ozzy Osbourne1948-2025 · United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  24. 24Pablo Escobar1949-1993 · Colombia · Politicians4 decades
  25. 25John Travoltaborn 1954 · United States · Actors5 decades
Show 75 more

How to read these rankings

  • Attention, not reputation. A place on these lists reflects the attention a person still draws in the public record. It is not a judgement on the life.
  • Fame in print. The curves show how often a name appeared in the books of each decade from 1800 to 2019, drawn from the Google Books Ngram corpus.
  • Gaps are left as gaps. Where the record is too thin to be fair, we would rather show nothing than guess.