Claim profile
1980–1989

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 Russian books during the 1980s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish26,996German4,056French3,779Italian2,019Spanish1,530Russian789Chinese279Hebrew145
  1. 1Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians2.6
  2. 2Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.1
  3. 3Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.5
  4. 4Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.2
  5. 5Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures1.1
  6. 6Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  7. 7Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  8. 8Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  9. 9Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures1.1
  10. 10Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.0
  11. 11Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  12. 12Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.99
  13. 13Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.95
  14. 14Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.82
  15. 15Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.81
  16. 16Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.80
  17. 17Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.78
  18. 18Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.78
  19. 19Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.77
  20. 20Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.73
  21. 21Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.73
  22. 22Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers0.69
  23. 23Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.65
  24. 24Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.62
  25. 25Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.61
  26. 26Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.58
  27. 27Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.56
  28. 28Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.55
  29. 29Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.55
  30. 30Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.51
  31. 31Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.51
  32. 32Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.49
  33. 33Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.49
  34. 34Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.48
  35. 35Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.48
  36. 36Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.46
  37. 37Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.45
  38. 38Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.45
  39. 39Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · 20th century · Politicians0.45
  40. 40Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.44
  41. 41Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov1882–1949 · 20th century · Politicians0.43
  42. 42Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.41
  43. 43Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers0.41
  44. 44Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.40
  45. 45Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.37
  46. 46HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.36
  47. 47Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.35
  48. 48Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.33
  49. 49Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.33
  50. 50Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.33
  51. 51Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.32
  52. 52Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.30
  53. 53Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.29
  54. 54Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.28
  55. 55Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  56. 56Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.28
  57. 57Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.27
  58. 58Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.27
  59. 59Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.27
  60. 60Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.26
  61. 61Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.25
  62. 62Konstantin ChernenkoKonstantin Chernenko1911–1985 · 20th century · Politicians0.25
  63. 63Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.25
  64. 64Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.25
  65. 65Yuri AndropovYuri Andropov1914–1984 · 20th century · Politicians0.24
  66. 66Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.24
  67. 67Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.23
  68. 68Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.23
  69. 69Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.23
  70. 70Andrei PlatonovAndrei Platonov1899–1951 · 20th century · Writers0.23
  71. 71Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.22
  72. 72Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.22
  73. 73Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  74. 74Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.21
  75. 75Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  76. 76Rasul GamzatovRasul Gamzatov1923–2003 · 20th century · Writers0.20
  77. 77Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.20
  78. 78Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.20
  79. 79Vasily ShukshinVasily Shukshin1929–1974 · 20th century · Actors0.20
  80. 80Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.20
  81. 81Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.19
  82. 82Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.19
  83. 83Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.18
  84. 84Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.18
  85. 85Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.18
  86. 86Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.17
  87. 87Korney ChukovskyKorney Chukovsky1882–1969 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  88. 88Yakub KolasYakub Kolas1882–1956 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  89. 89Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov1891–1940 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  90. 90Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  91. 91Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.17
  92. 92Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  93. 93Shoqan WalikhanovShoqan Walikhanov1835–1865 · 19th century · Academics0.16
  94. 94Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.16
  95. 95Nâzım HikmetNâzım Hikmet1902–1963 · 20th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.16
  96. 96Alexander BestuzhevAlexander Bestuzhev1797–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  97. 97Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.15
  98. 98Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.15
  99. 99Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.15
  100. 100Yevgeny YevtushenkoYevgeny Yevtushenko1933–2017 · 20th century · Writers0.14

Lived then

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

  1. 1Donald TrumpDonald Trumpborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  2. 2Vladimir PutinVladimir Putinborn 1952 · Politicians3 decades
  3. 3Xi JinpingXi Jinpingborn 1953 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3 decades
  4. 4Freddie MercuryFreddie Mercury1946–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  5. 5Angela MerkelAngela Merkelborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  6. 6Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of Walesborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures8 decades
  7. 7Hugo ChávezHugo Chávez1954–2013 · Politicians3 decades
  8. 8Robin WilliamsRobin Williams1951–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  9. 9Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4 decades
  10. 10Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  11. 11Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzeneggerborn 1947 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Actors4 decades
  12. 12Alexander LukashenkoAlexander Lukashenkoborn 1954 · Politicians3 decades
  13. 13Bob MarleyBob Marley1945–1981 · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  15. 15George W. BushGeorge W. Bushborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  16. 16François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  17. 17David BowieDavid Bowie1947–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  18. 18Bill ClintonBill Clintonborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  19. 19Stephen KingStephen Kingborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  20. 20Meryl StreepMeryl Streepborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  21. 21Sylvester StalloneSylvester Stalloneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  22. 22Recep Tayyip ErdoğanRecep Tayyip Erdoğanborn 1954 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians1 decades
  23. 23Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  24. 24Pablo EscobarPablo Escobar1949–1993 · Politicians4 decades
  25. 25Alla PugachevaAlla Pugachevaborn 1949 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Musicians5 decades
  26. 26Valery LeontievValery Leontievborn 1949 · Musicians4 decades
  27. 27John TravoltaJohn Travoltaborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  28. 28Ozzy OsbourneOzzy Osbourne1948–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  29. 29David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  30. 30Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washingtonborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  31. 31CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32Elton JohnElton Johnborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  33. 33Sigourney WeaverSigourney Weaverborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  34. 34Johan CruyffJohan Cruyff1947–2016 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers4 decades
  35. 35Franz BeckenbauerFranz Beckenbauer1945–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers5 decades
  36. 36Cristina Fernández de KirchnerCristina Fernández de Kirchnerborn 1953 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Lawyers2 decades
  37. 37Sergey LavrovSergey Lavrovborn 1950 · Politicians2 decades
  38. 38Viktor YanukovychViktor Yanukovychborn 1950 · Politicians2 decades
  39. 39Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  40. 40Pierce BrosnanPierce Brosnanborn 1953 · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Diane KeatonDiane Keaton1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  42. 42James CameronJames Cameronborn 1954 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors7 decades
  43. 43Liam NeesonLiam Neesonborn 1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  44. 44Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  45. 45Hillary ClintonHillary Clintonborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  46. 46Steven SeagalSteven Seagalborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  47. 47Helen MirrenHelen Mirrenborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  48. 48Charlotte RamplingCharlotte Ramplingborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  49. 49Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaLuiz Inácio Lula da Silvaborn 1945 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Politicians1 decades
  50. 50Tony BlairTony Blairborn 1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians3 decades
  51. 51George R. R. MartinGeorge R. R. Martinborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1 decades
  52. 52StingStingborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians7 decades
  53. 53Jeffrey EpsteinJeffrey Epstein1953–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Business Professionals0 decades
  54. 54Narendra ModiNarendra Modiborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians2 decades
  55. 55Eric ClaptonEric Claptonborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  56. 56Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. Jacksonborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  57. 57Phil CollinsPhil Collinsborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  58. 58Haruki MurakamiHaruki Murakamiborn 1949 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers2 decades
  59. 59Susan SarandonSusan Sarandonborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  60. 60Salman RushdieSalman Rushdieborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  61. 61Alan RickmanAlan Rickman1946–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  62. 62VajiralongkornVajiralongkornborn 1952 · Historical Figures0 decades
  63. 63Daniel OrtegaDaniel Ortegaborn 1945 · Politiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Pedro AlmodóvarPedro Almodóvarborn 1949 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors4 decades
  65. 65Carl XVI Gustaf of SwedenCarl XVI Gustaf of Swedenborn 1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  66. 66Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfreyborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  67. 67Shinzō AbeShinzō Abe1954–2022 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  68. 68Liza MinnelliLiza Minnelliborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  69. 69Thomas SankaraThomas Sankara1949–1987 · Politicians4 decades
  70. 70Richard GereRichard Gereborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  71. 71Stevie WonderStevie Wonderborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  72. 72Ted BundyTed Bundy1946–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  73. 73Al GoreAl Goreborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  74. 74Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  75. 75Kassym-Jomart TokayevKassym-Jomart Tokayevborn 1953 · Politiciansnot measured—
  76. 76John GoodmanJohn Goodmanborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  77. 77Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyiborn 1945 · Politicians4 decades
  78. 78Camilla, Duchess of CornwallCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Activists0 decades
  79. 79Brian MayBrian Mayborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  80. 80Paulo CoelhoPaulo Coelhoborn 1947 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Musicians2 decades
  81. 81Patrick SwayzePatrick Swayze1952–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  82. 82Gerd MüllerGerd Müller1945–2021 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers7 decades
  83. 83António GuterresAntónio Guterresborn 1949 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Politicians0 decades
  84. 84Jeff BridgesJeff Bridgesborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  85. 85Hulk HoganHulk Hogan1953–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes3 decades
  86. 86Kim BasingerKim Basingerborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  87. 87Abdel Fattah el-SisiAbdel Fattah el-Sisiborn 1954 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians0 decades
  88. 88Sally FieldSally Fieldborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  89. 89Bill MurrayBill Murrayborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  90. 90Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  91. 91Masoud PezeshkianMasoud Pezeshkianborn 1954 · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Glenn CloseGlenn Closeborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  93. 93Jeremy IronsJeremy Ironsborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  94. 94Tommy Lee JonesTommy Lee Jonesborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  95. 95Steve WozniakSteve Wozniakborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists4 decades
  96. 96Kathy BatesKathy Batesborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  97. 97Zaha HadidZaha Hadid1950–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Architects3 decades
  98. 98Agnetha FältskogAgnetha Fältskogborn 1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  99. 99Jessica LangeJessica Langeborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  100. 100Goldie HawnGoldie Hawnborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 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.