Claim profile
1990–1999

The 1990s

Whose names filled the books of the 1990s — 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 English books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures46
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.6
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.9
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers4.8
  5. 5Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.8
  6. 6RMRMborn 1994 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians4.5
  7. 7SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics4.4
  8. 8George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.8
  9. 9SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3.7
  10. 10AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3.2
  11. 11CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.9
  12. 12VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.7
  13. 13MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2.2
  14. 14Bill ClintonBill Clintonborn 1946 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.0
  15. 15Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein1937–2006 · 20th century · Politicians1.9
  16. 16Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.9
  17. 17PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.8
  18. 18Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan1911–2004 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  19. 19OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  20. 20IUIUborn 1993 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians1.6
  21. 21John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  22. 22Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  23. 23Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  24. 24AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century1.4
  25. 25PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.3
  26. 26CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.3
  27. 27EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.2
  28. 28GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.2
  29. 29Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1.2
  30. 30RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.2
  31. 31Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.2
  32. 32Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.2
  33. 33Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.1
  34. 34HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.1
  35. 35John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.1
  36. 36Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  37. 37EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.00
  38. 38Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.96
  39. 39Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.96
  40. 40BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.96
  41. 41James MadisonJames Madison1751–1836 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.96
  42. 42OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.95
  43. 43Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh1890–1969 · 20th century · Politicians0.91
  44. 44CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures0.91
  45. 45Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter1924–2024 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.91
  46. 46ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.87
  47. 47Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.87
  48. 48Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.86
  49. 49Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.85
  50. 50SuhartoSuharto1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians0.81
  51. 51Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.81
  52. 52SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79
  53. 53LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.78
  54. 54William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists0.76
  55. 55William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.76
  56. 56RamakrishnaRamakrishna1836–1886 · 19th century · 🇮🇳 India · Academics0.76
  57. 57Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Activists0.75
  58. 58AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC0.75
  59. 59SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.75
  60. 60Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas1225–1274 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.75
  61. 61Indira GandhiIndira Gandhi1917–1984 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians0.75
  62. 62Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.75
  63. 63Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.74
  64. 64John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.73
  65. 65Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.73
  66. 66HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.73
  67. 67AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.71
  68. 68Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela1918–2013 · 20th century · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Politicians0.70
  69. 69Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.70
  70. 70George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.70
  71. 71PlotinusPlotinus205–270 · 3rd century · Academics0.70
  72. 72Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru1889–1964 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians0.70
  73. 73Rajiv GandhiRajiv Gandhi1944–1991 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians0.69
  74. 74Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.69
  75. 75UsherUsherborn 1978 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0.69
  76. 76Jane AustenJane Austen1775–1817 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.69
  77. 77Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians0.67
  78. 78Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.67
  79. 79Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.67
  80. 80AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models0.67
  81. 81John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  82. 82Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher1925–2013 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.65
  83. 83John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.65
  84. 84George MasonGeorge Mason1725–1792 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.64
  85. 85John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.64
  86. 86PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.64
  87. 87HoseaHoseaborn 784 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.63
  88. 88James JoyceJames Joyce1882–1941 · 20th century · Writers0.63
  89. 89Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures0.63
  90. 90John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.63
  91. 91Malcolm XMalcolm X1925–1965 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.62
  92. 92Frank LloydFrank Lloyd1886–1960 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors0.62
  93. 93Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.62
  94. 94CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.62
  95. 95Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.62
  96. 96Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.62
  97. 97Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.62
  98. 98SapphoSappho650 BC–570 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.61
  99. 99Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.61

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1990s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Michael JacksonMichael Jackson1958–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  2. 2Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  3. 3Barack ObamaBarack Obamaborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  4. 4Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIVborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Religious Figures0 decades
  5. 5Diego MaradonaDiego Maradona1960–2020 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  6. 6MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  7. 7Steve JobsSteve Jobs1955–2011 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4 decades
  8. 8Nicolás MaduroNicolás Maduroborn 1962 · Politicians2 decades
  9. 9Brad PittBrad Pittborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  10. 10Bill GatesBill Gatesborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4 decades
  11. 11Osama bin LadenOsama bin Laden1957–2011 · Scientists3 decades
  12. 12Johnny DeppJohnny Deppborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  13. 13Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1963–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  14. 14Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales1961–1997 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  15. 15Tom CruiseTom Cruiseborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  16. 16Tom HanksTom Hanksborn 1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  17. 17Keanu ReevesKeanu Reevesborn 1964 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors3 decades
  18. 18George ClooneyGeorge Clooneyborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  19. 19Jim CarreyJim Carreyborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  20. 20Bruce WillisBruce Willisborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  21. 21Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantinoborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  22. 22Sandra BullockSandra Bullockborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  23. 23Ursula von der LeyenUrsula von der Leyenborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  24. 24Michael JordanMichael Jordanborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Basketball Players4 decades
  25. 25Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur1971–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  26. 26Olaf ScholzOlaf Scholzborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  27. 27Kurt CobainKurt Cobain1967–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  28. 28Nicolas CageNicolas Cageborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  29. 29Jeff BezosJeff Bezosborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders2 decades
  30. 30Mel GibsonMel Gibsonborn 1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  31. 31Jodie FosterJodie Fosterborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  32. 32Keir StarmerKeir Starmerborn 1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0 decades
  33. 33Russell CroweRussell Croweborn 1964 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Actors2 decades
  34. 34Rowan AtkinsonRowan Atkinsonborn 1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  35. 35Kevin CostnerKevin Costnerborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  36. 36José MourinhoJosé Mourinhoborn 1963 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Footballers1 decades
  37. 37Demi MooreDemi Mooreborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  38. 38Ayrton SennaAyrton Senna1960–1994 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Athletes3 decades
  39. 39PrincePrince1958–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  40. 40Frank-Walter SteinmeierFrank-Walter Steinmeierborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  41. 41Garry KasparovGarry Kasparovborn 1963 · Politicians4 decades
  42. 42Ilham AliyevIlham Aliyevborn 1961 · Politicians2 decades
  43. 43Friedrich MerzFriedrich Merzborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  44. 44Mahmoud AhmadinejadMahmoud Ahmadinejadborn 1956 · Politicians2 decades
  45. 45Monica BellucciMonica Bellucciborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors3 decades
  46. 46Viktor OrbánViktor Orbánborn 1963 · Politicians1 decades
  47. 47Kamala HarrisKamala Harrisborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades
  48. 48Claudia SheinbaumClaudia Sheinbaumborn 1962 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1 decades
  49. 49NaruhitoNaruhitoborn 1960 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures1 decades
  50. 50George MichaelGeorge Michael1963–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  51. 51Gary OldmanGary Oldmanborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  52. 52Sean PennSean Pennborn 1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  53. 53Antonio BanderasAntonio Banderasborn 1960 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors4 decades
  54. 54Mohammed VI of MoroccoMohammed VI of Moroccoborn 1963 · Historical Figures0 decades
  55. 55Jair BolsonaroJair Bolsonaroborn 1955 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Politicians0 decades
  56. 56Julianne MooreJulianne Mooreborn 1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  57. 57Jet LiJet Liborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Athletes4 decades
  58. 58Daniel Day-LewisDaniel Day-Lewisborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  59. 59Li KeqiangLi Keqiang1955–2023 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4 decades
  60. 60Carrie FisherCarrie Fisher1956–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  61. 61Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  62. 62Eddie MurphyEddie Murphyborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  63. 63Michelle PfeifferMichelle Pfeifferborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  64. 64Jean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van Dammeborn 1960 · Actors3 decades
  65. 65Mariano RajoyMariano Rajoyborn 1955 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians3 decades
  66. 66Andrea BocelliAndrea Bocelliborn 1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians3 decades
  67. 67Sharon StoneSharon Stoneborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  68. 68Tim BurtonTim Burtonborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  69. 69Boris JohnsonBoris Johnsonborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  70. 70Hans ZimmerHans Zimmerborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians3 decades
  71. 71Carlo AncelottiCarlo Ancelottiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  72. 72Dan BrownDan Brownborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  73. 73Michelle ObamaMichelle Obamaborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers2 decades
  74. 74Val KilmerVal Kilmer1959–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  75. 75Whoopi GoldbergWhoopi Goldbergborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  76. 76Isabelle AdjaniIsabelle Adjaniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  77. 77Michael J. FoxMichael J. Foxborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  78. 78Emma ThompsonEmma Thompsonborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  79. 79Yevgeny PrigozhinYevgeny Prigozhin1961–2023 · Foundersnot measured—
  80. 80Kevin SpaceyKevin Spaceyborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  81. 81Lothar MatthäusLothar Matthäusborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  82. 82Viktor TsoiViktor Tsoi1962–1990 · Musicians3 decades
  83. 83Tim Berners-LeeTim Berners-Leeborn 1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Developers3 decades
  84. 84EnyaEnyaborn 1961 · Musicians3 decades
  85. 85Alec BaldwinAlec Baldwinborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  86. 86Anthony BourdainAnthony Bourdain1956–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Chefs1 decades
  87. 87Donald TuskDonald Tuskborn 1957 · Politicians1 decades
  88. 88Michael Clarke DuncanMichael Clarke Duncan1957–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  89. 89Peter JacksonPeter Jacksonborn 1961 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Directors6 decades
  90. 90Ralph FiennesRalph Fiennesborn 1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  91. 91Bryan CranstonBryan Cranstonborn 1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  92. 92Albert II, Prince of MonacoAlbert II, Prince of Monacoborn 1958 · Historical Figures1 decades
  93. 93Philippe of BelgiumPhilippe of Belgiumborn 1960 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  94. 94Jack MaJack Maborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Founders5 decades
  95. 95Hugh GrantHugh Grantborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  96. 96Willem DafoeWillem Dafoeborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  97. 97Abdullah II of JordanAbdullah II of Jordanborn 1962 · Historical Figures0 decades
  98. 98Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  99. 99SelenaSelena1971–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Christoph WaltzChristoph Waltzborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors1 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.