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 Russian books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures4.5
  2. 2Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians3.7
  3. 3Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers3.1
  4. 4Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures2.8
  5. 5Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.5
  6. 6Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures2.5
  7. 7Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians2.5
  8. 8Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.3
  9. 9Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.3
  10. 10Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models2.3
  11. 11Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.2
  12. 12Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians2.0
  13. 13Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  14. 14Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  15. 15Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.7
  16. 16Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  17. 17Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures1.7
  18. 18Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers1.5
  19. 19Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century1.4
  20. 20Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians1.4
  21. 21Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  22. 22Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians1.3
  23. 23Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.2
  24. 24Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · 20th century · Politicians1.2
  25. 25Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  26. 26Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.1
  27. 27Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  28. 28Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  29. 29Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.0
  30. 30Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.99
  31. 31Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.99
  32. 32Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.94
  33. 33Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.83
  34. 34Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.82
  35. 35Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.81
  36. 36Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.80
  37. 37Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.79
  38. 38Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.77
  39. 39Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.77
  40. 40Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.76
  41. 41Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.72
  42. 42Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.69
  43. 43Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.69
  44. 44Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.69
  45. 45Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.68
  46. 46Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.65
  47. 47Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.58
  48. 48Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians0.57
  49. 49Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.55
  50. 50Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.53
  51. 51Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.50
  52. 52Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.50
  53. 53Patriarch Alexius IIPatriarch Alexius II1929–2008 · 20th century · Religious Figures0.49
  54. 54Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.49
  55. 55Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.48
  56. 56Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.46
  57. 57Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.45
  58. 58Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.44
  59. 59Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.44
  60. 60Joseph BrodskyJoseph Brodsky1940–1996 · 20th century · Writers0.42
  61. 61Seraphim of SarovSeraphim of Sarov1754–1833 · 18th century0.42
  62. 62Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.41
  63. 63Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.40
  64. 64John of KronstadtJohn of Kronstadt1829–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.39
  65. 65Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.39
  66. 66Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov1891–1940 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  67. 67Aleksandr SolzhenitsynAleksandr Solzhenitsyn1918–2008 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  68. 68Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  69. 69Andrei PlatonovAndrei Platonov1899–1951 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  70. 70Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  71. 71Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.35
  72. 72Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.34
  73. 73Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.34
  74. 74Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.33
  75. 75Nikolai BerdyaevNikolai Berdyaev1874–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.33
  76. 76Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.32
  77. 77Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.32
  78. 78Vladimir VysotskyVladimir Vysotsky1938–1980 · 20th century · Musicians0.32
  79. 79Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.31
  80. 80Andrei SakharovAndrei Sakharov1921–1989 · 20th century · Scientists0.31
  81. 81Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.31
  82. 82Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.30
  83. 83Victor ChernomyrdinVictor Chernomyrdin1938–2010 · 20th century · Politicians0.30
  84. 84Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.30
  85. 85Peter II of RussiaPeter II of Russia1715–1730 · 18th century · Politicians0.29
  86. 86Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · 20th century · Politicians0.28
  87. 87Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.28
  88. 88Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.28
  89. 89Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  90. 90Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.28
  91. 91Egor GajdarEgor Gajdar1956–2009 · 20th century · Academics0.27
  92. 92Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.27
  93. 93Yury LuzhkovYury Luzhkov1936–2019 · 20th century · Politicians0.26
  94. 94Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov1899–1977 · 20th century · Writers0.26
  95. 95Alexei Grigoryevich OrlovAlexei Grigoryevich Orlov1737–1807 · 18th century · Politicians0.25
  96. 96Vladimir ZhirinovskyVladimir Zhirinovsky1946–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.24
  97. 97Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.24
  98. 98Bulat OkudzhavaBulat Okudzhava1924–1997 · 20th century · Writers0.24
  99. 99Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  100. 100Konstantin LeontievKonstantin Leontiev1831–1891 · 19th century · Academics0.24

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.