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 Hebrew books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures18
  2. 2Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century12
  3. 3Reuven RivlinReuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians11
  4. 4Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians10
  5. 5Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8.8
  6. 6Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8.3
  7. 7Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians7.8
  8. 8Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers6.8
  9. 9Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics6.5
  10. 10JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers5.5
  11. 11Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians5.1
  12. 12Yitzhak ShamirYitzhak Shamir1915–2012 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4.5
  13. 13Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century4.5
  14. 14Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers4.2
  15. 15NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century4.2
  16. 16SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.2
  17. 17Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4.1
  18. 18Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers3.9
  19. 19JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.8
  20. 20Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC3.8
  21. 21Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures3.6
  22. 22Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians3.6
  23. 23Amos OzAmos Oz1939–2018 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers3.4
  24. 24Ehud BarakEhud Barakborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.3
  25. 25Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.2
  26. 26Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.1
  27. 27Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century3.0
  28. 28Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century2.9
  29. 29HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures2.9
  30. 30SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers2.4
  31. 31Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century2.2
  32. 32YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers2.0
  33. 33Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians2.0
  34. 34Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.0
  35. 35Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC1.9
  36. 36SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century1.8
  37. 37Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.3
  38. 38Ehud OlmertEhud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.3
  39. 39Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.3
  40. 40Chaim HerzogChaim Herzog1918–1997 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.3
  41. 41Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics1.0
  42. 42Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.0
  43. 43Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.97
  44. 44Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.94
  45. 45Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.92
  46. 46Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.91
  47. 47Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.82
  48. 48Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.77
  49. 49Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics0.74
  50. 50Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.73
  51. 51HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.67
  52. 52Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.65
  53. 53Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.63
  54. 54Tzipi LivniTzipi Livniborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.61
  55. 55Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.61
  56. 56Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.54
  57. 57Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.54
  58. 58Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.53
  59. 59Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.53
  60. 60Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.52
  61. 61MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.52
  62. 62Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.51
  63. 63ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.50
  64. 64Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.44
  65. 65IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.44
  66. 66Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.43
  67. 67Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.42
  68. 68Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.42
  69. 69Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.40
  70. 70Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.40
  71. 71Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.40
  72. 72Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.39
  73. 73IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.38
  74. 74EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.34
  75. 75Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.32
  76. 76Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.32
  77. 77Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.32
  78. 78BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.31
  79. 79Mahmoud DarwishMahmoud Darwish1941–2008 · 20th century · Writers0.30
  80. 80JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.28
  81. 81JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.26
  82. 82OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.26
  83. 83Etgar KeretEtgar Keretborn 1967 · 21st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.25
  84. 84EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.25
  85. 85David GrossmanDavid Grossmanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.24
  86. 86JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.22
  87. 87JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.21
  88. 88RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.20
  89. 89Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.19
  90. 90IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.17
  91. 91PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.17
  92. 92JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.16
  93. 93ISIbn Shaprutborn 1400 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.16
  94. 94Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.16
  95. 95MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.14
  96. 96Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.14
  97. 97Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.14
  98. 98Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.13
  99. 99Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.12
  100. 100Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.12

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.