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 Italian books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists7.1
  2. 2GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists4.9
  3. 3Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics4.9
  4. 4Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists4.6
  5. 5Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.8
  6. 6Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers3.6
  7. 7TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.6
  8. 8Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects3.6
  9. 9DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists3.4
  10. 10Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures3.0
  11. 11Silvio BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi1936–2023 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.8
  12. 12Piero della FrancescaPiero della Francesca1415–1492 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.7
  13. 13Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  14. 14Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  15. 15GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.6
  16. 16Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.4
  17. 17Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.3
  18. 18Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics2.3
  19. 19Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians2.2
  20. 20Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.2
  21. 21Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.0
  22. 22Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.0
  23. 23Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.0
  24. 24PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  25. 25Italo CalvinoItalo Calvino1923–1985 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists1.9
  26. 26Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects1.9
  27. 27MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  28. 28Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  29. 29Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.8
  30. 30Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.8
  31. 31Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.7
  32. 32Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  33. 33Luigi EinaudiLuigi Einaudi1874–1961 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  34. 34Pietro da CortonaPietro da Cortona1596–1669 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.7
  35. 35Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  36. 36Bettino CraxiBettino Craxi1934–2000 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  37. 37Giulio AndreottiGiulio Andreotti1919–2013 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  38. 38Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.6
  39. 39Primo LeviPrimo Levi1919–1987 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.6
  40. 40Guido ReniGuido Reni1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.6
  41. 41Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  42. 42PisanelloPisanello1395–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.5
  43. 43Eugenio MontaleEugenio Montale1896–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  44. 44Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.5
  45. 45PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.4
  46. 46Carlo GoldoniCarlo Goldoni1707–1793 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.4
  47. 47Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers1.4
  48. 48FarinelliFarinelli1705–1782 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.3
  49. 49DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists1.3
  50. 50Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari1511–1574 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.3
  51. 51Italo SvevoItalo Svevo1861–1928 · 19th century · Writers1.3
  52. 52Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers1.3
  53. 53Angelo BeolcoAngelo Beolco1496–1542 · 16th century · Writers1.3
  54. 54Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.3
  55. 55Romano ProdiRomano Prodiborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  56. 56ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.2
  57. 57Leonardo BruniLeonardo Bruni1369–1444 · 15th century · Writers1.2
  58. 58Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.2
  59. 59CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists1.2
  60. 60Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini1430–1516 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.2
  61. 61Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto1486–1530 · 16th century · Artists1.2
  62. 62Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.2
  63. 63Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics1.1
  64. 64CanalettoCanaletto1697–1768 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  65. 65Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.1
  66. 66Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics1.1
  67. 67Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  68. 68Leopoldo de' MediciLeopoldo de' Medici1617–1675 · 17th century · Religious Figures1.1
  69. 69Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians1.1
  70. 70Massimo D'AlemaMassimo D'Alemaborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.1
  71. 71Giovanni PascoliGiovanni Pascoli1855–1912 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  72. 72Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists1.0
  73. 73Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.0
  74. 74Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  75. 75Francesco CossigaFrancesco Cossiga1928–2010 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.0
  76. 76Palmiro TogliattiPalmiro Togliatti1893–1964 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.0
  77. 77Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  78. 78Federico BorromeoFederico Borromeo1564–1631 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.0
  79. 79Alessandro CagliostroAlessandro Cagliostro1743–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.99
  80. 80Paolo VeronesePaolo Veronese1528–1588 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.98
  81. 81Cesare BalboCesare Balbo1789–1853 · 19th century · Politicians0.97
  82. 82Giovanni VergaGiovanni Verga1840–1922 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.97
  83. 83Paolo UccelloPaolo Uccello1397–1475 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.96
  84. 84Cesare PaveseCesare Pavese1908–1950 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.96
  85. 85Andrea PalladioAndrea Palladio1508–1580 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects0.95
  86. 86Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.95
  87. 87Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors0.91
  88. 88Alberto MoraviaAlberto Moravia1907–1990 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.91
  89. 89Domenico PassignanoDomenico Passignano1559–1638 · 16th century · Artists0.91
  90. 90Filippo TuratiFilippo Turati1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.91
  91. 91Luca GiordanoLuca Giordano1634–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.90
  92. 92Antonio CanovaAntonio Canova1757–1822 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.90
  93. 93Dario FoDario Fo1926–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.89
  94. 94Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti1906–1976 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors0.88
  95. 95Giuliano AmatoGiuliano Amatoborn 1938 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.87
  96. 96Paolo RossiPaolo Rossi1956–2020 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers0.87
  97. 97Tommaso CampanellaTommaso Campanella1568–1639 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.87
  98. 98Fra AngelicoFra Angelico1390–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.86
  99. 99Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.84
  100. 100Annibale CarracciAnnibale Carracci1560–1609 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.83

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.