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 Chinese books during the 1980s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish26,996German4,056French3,779Italian2,019Spanish1,530Russian789Chinese279Hebrew145
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians254
  2. 2Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers141
  3. 3Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians57
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians57
  5. 5Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians50
  6. 6Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians34
  7. 7Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians21
  8. 8ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics20
  9. 9Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors13
  10. 10Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  11. 11Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.5
  12. 12LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.3
  13. 13Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians7.9
  14. 14Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers6.2
  15. 15Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics6.1
  16. 16GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers5.8
  17. 17Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.4
  18. 18Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.2
  19. 19Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.0
  20. 20Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers3.9
  21. 21Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3.3
  22. 22Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.9
  23. 23Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.8
  24. 24Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.8
  25. 25Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.4
  26. 26Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.2
  27. 27Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.8
  28. 28Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.8
  29. 29Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.5
  30. 30Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.5
  31. 31Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics1.5
  32. 32Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.5
  33. 33Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians1.4
  34. 34Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers1.3
  35. 35Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.3
  36. 36LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.3
  37. 37Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.2
  38. 38Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics1.2
  39. 39WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists1.2
  40. 40Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.1
  41. 41KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.94
  42. 42Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.89
  43. 43Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.89
  44. 44Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers0.88
  45. 45Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians0.76
  46. 46Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.75
  47. 47Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.73
  48. 48Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.67
  49. 49Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.66
  50. 50Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians0.55
  51. 51Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.54
  52. 52Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.52
  53. 53Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.51
  54. 54Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.48
  55. 55Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.48
  56. 56Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.48
  57. 57Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.48
  58. 58Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.47
  59. 59Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.42
  60. 60Liu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo1955–2017 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.41
  61. 61Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.36
  62. 62MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.34
  63. 63Pang DePang De170–219 · 3rd century0.33
  64. 64Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.32
  65. 65Wu JingziWu Jingzi1701–1754 · 18th century · Writers0.32
  66. 66Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.30
  67. 67Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.30
  68. 68Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.29
  69. 69Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.29
  70. 70Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.28
  71. 71Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.28
  72. 72Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.26
  73. 73Lady SunLady Sunborn 192 · 3rd century · Writers0.26
  74. 74Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.26
  75. 75Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.26
  76. 76Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.25
  77. 77Wang WeiWang Wei699–759 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.24
  78. 78Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.24
  79. 79Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.24
  80. 80Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.23
  81. 81Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.22
  82. 82Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.22
  83. 83Wang BiWang Bi226–249 · 3rd century · Politicians0.22
  84. 84Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.22
  85. 85JSJin Shengtan1610–1661 · 17th century · Writers0.22
  86. 86Guan ZhongGuan Zhong720 BC–645 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.21
  87. 87Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.21
  88. 88Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.20
  89. 89Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong1334–1400 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.18
  90. 90Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en1500–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.18
  91. 91Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu of Han156 BC–87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.17
  92. 92Zhang HuaZhang Hua232–300 · 3rd century · Writers0.17
  93. 93Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.17
  94. 94ZengziZengzi504 BC–435 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.17
  95. 95Zhang XuechengZhang Xuecheng1738–1801 · 18th century · Academics0.16
  96. 96Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.15
  97. 97Chen Zi'angChen Zi'ang661–702 · 7th century · Writers0.15
  98. 98Zuo ZongtangZuo Zongtang1812–1885 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.14
  99. 99PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.14
  100. 100Xi ShiXi Shi506 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC0.14

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.