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 Chinese books during the 1990s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish27,960German4,116French3,877Italian2,067Spanish1,597Russian830Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians217
  2. 2Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians143
  3. 3Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians66
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians63
  5. 5Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers43
  6. 6Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians28
  7. 7Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians20
  8. 8Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians14
  9. 9Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11
  10. 10ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics11
  11. 11Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.4
  12. 12Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors7.6
  13. 13LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics5.0
  14. 14Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.5
  15. 15Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.2
  16. 16Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians4.0
  17. 17Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3.2
  18. 18GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers2.8
  19. 19Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics2.8
  20. 20Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.1
  21. 21Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.0
  22. 22Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.9
  23. 23Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.5
  24. 24Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.4
  25. 25Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.3
  26. 26Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.2
  27. 27Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  28. 28Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.91
  29. 29Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.90
  30. 30Zhang YimouZhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors0.89
  31. 31LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.87
  32. 32Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.82
  33. 33Zhu RongjiZhu Rongjiborn 1928 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.76
  34. 34Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.75
  35. 35Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.74
  36. 36Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.71
  37. 37Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.68
  38. 38Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers0.64
  39. 39Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.63
  40. 40Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.62
  41. 41Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.55
  42. 42Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.53
  43. 43Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.53
  44. 44Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.51
  45. 45Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.50
  46. 46Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.45
  47. 47Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.45
  48. 48Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.45
  49. 49Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.44
  50. 50Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.43
  51. 51Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.38
  52. 52KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.34
  53. 53WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists0.33
  54. 54Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.33
  55. 55Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.32
  56. 56Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.30
  57. 57Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.28
  58. 58Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.26
  59. 59Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.22
  60. 60Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians0.21
  61. 61Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.19
  62. 62Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers0.18
  63. 63MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.17
  64. 64PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.17
  65. 65Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.17
  66. 66Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.16
  67. 67Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.15
  68. 68Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.15
  69. 69Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.15
  70. 70Liu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo1955–2017 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.14
  71. 71Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.14
  72. 72Chen Shui-bianChen Shui-bianborn 1950 · 20th century · Politicians0.14
  73. 73Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.14
  74. 74Wang WeiWang Wei699–759 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.13
  75. 75Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.13
  76. 76Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.13
  77. 77Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.12
  78. 78Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.12
  79. 79Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.12
  80. 80Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.12
  81. 81ZengziZengzi504 BC–435 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.11
  82. 82Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.11
  83. 83Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.11
  84. 84Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.11
  85. 85Wu JingziWu Jingzi1701–1754 · 18th century · Writers0.11
  86. 86Pang DePang De170–219 · 3rd century0.11
  87. 87Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.10
  88. 88Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians0.10
  89. 89Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.10
  90. 90Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.09
  91. 91Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu of Han156 BC–87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.09
  92. 92Zhang XuechengZhang Xuecheng1738–1801 · 18th century · Academics0.09
  93. 93Lady SunLady Sunborn 192 · 3rd century · Writers0.09
  94. 94Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.09
  95. 95Yuan JieYuan Jie719–772 · 8th century · Writers0.09
  96. 96Li KeqiangLi Keqiang1955–2023 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.08
  97. 97Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.08
  98. 98Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.08
  99. 99Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.08
  100. 100Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.08

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.