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 French books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers23
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures12
  3. 3StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11
  4. 4MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9.9
  5. 5François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9.2
  6. 6MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8.1
  7. 7Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians7.2
  8. 8Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.7
  9. 9Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5.5
  10. 10Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures4.5
  11. 11Alain JuppéAlain Juppéborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.6
  12. 12François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures3.6
  13. 13George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.5
  14. 14Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.4
  15. 15Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.3
  16. 16Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.2
  17. 17Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.0
  18. 18Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.7
  19. 19HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France2.7
  20. 20Lionel JospinLionel Jospin1937–2026 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.7
  21. 21André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  22. 22André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  23. 23Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.4
  24. 24Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects2.4
  25. 25Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  26. 26Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  27. 27Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor1500–1558 · 16th century · Historical Figures2.2
  28. 28Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.2
  29. 29Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians2.1
  30. 30Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  31. 31Marguerite YourcenarMarguerite Yourcenar1903–1987 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  32. 32Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.0
  33. 33Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  34. 34André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  35. 35Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.8
  36. 36Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.8
  37. 37Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  38. 38Jean MonnetJean Monnet1888–1979 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.7
  39. 39Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  40. 40Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  41. 41Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  42. 42Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  43. 43Saint-John PerseSaint-John Perse1887–1975 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  44. 44Jacques DelorsJacques Delors1925–2023 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.6
  45. 45Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.5
  46. 46Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.5
  47. 47Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  48. 48Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  49. 49Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.4
  50. 50Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  51. 51Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.4
  52. 52Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  53. 53Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.4
  54. 54Claude SimonClaude Simon1913–2005 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  55. 55François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  56. 56Raymond AronRaymond Aron1905–1983 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  57. 57AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.3
  58. 58Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  59. 59Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  60. 60Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  61. 61Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  62. 62Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  63. 63Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.2
  64. 64Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.2
  65. 65Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.2
  66. 66Laurent FabiusLaurent Fabiusborn 1946 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.2
  67. 67Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  68. 68Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.2
  69. 69Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.1
  70. 70Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.99
  71. 71Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.99
  72. 72Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.98
  73. 73Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.92
  74. 74Georges BatailleGeorges Bataille1897–1962 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.92
  75. 75Jacques MaritainJacques Maritain1882–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.90
  76. 76Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  77. 77Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.88
  78. 78NostradamusNostradamus1503–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.88
  79. 79Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  80. 80Pierre MauroyPierre Mauroy1928–2013 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.87
  81. 81Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.85
  82. 82Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.85
  83. 83Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.83
  84. 84Jean GiraudouxJean Giraudoux1882–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  85. 85Claude Lévi-StraussClaude Lévi-Strauss1908–2009 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.81
  86. 86Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.80
  87. 87Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.80
  88. 88Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.79
  89. 89Georges PerecGeorges Perec1936–1982 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.77
  90. 90Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.76
  91. 91Gustave MoreauGustave Moreau1826–1898 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.76
  92. 92Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  93. 93Paul RicœurPaul Ricœur1913–2005 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.74
  94. 94HergéHergé1907–1983 · 20th century · Writers0.72
  95. 95Fernand BraudelFernand Braudel1902–1985 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.71
  96. 96Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.70
  97. 97Paul BiyaPaul Biyaborn 1933 · 20th century · Politicians0.70
  98. 98Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.69
  99. 99Raymond QueneauRaymond Queneau1903–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.69
  100. 100Jean BodinJean Bodin1530–1596 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.69

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.