Claim profile
2000–2009

The 2000s

Whose names filled the books of the 2000s — 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 English books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures82
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics12
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics10
  4. 4SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.3
  5. 5HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers5.4
  6. 6Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.4
  7. 7AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.0
  8. 8CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.0
  9. 9RMRMborn 1994 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians3.9
  10. 10George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.5
  11. 11VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.1
  12. 12SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians2.9
  13. 13George W. BushGeorge W. Bushborn 1946 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.6
  14. 14MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2.5
  15. 15WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists2.3
  16. 16OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.3
  17. 17Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein1937–2006 · 20th century · Politicians2.3
  18. 18PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2.2
  19. 19Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.1
  20. 20Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.0
  21. 21CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.8
  22. 22Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan1911–2004 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  23. 23PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.8
  24. 24Bill ClintonBill Clintonborn 1946 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  25. 25HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.6
  26. 26GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.6
  27. 27OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics1.4
  28. 28John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.4
  29. 29Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.4
  30. 30John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  31. 31Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.4
  32. 32RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  33. 33IUIUborn 1993 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians1.3
  34. 34Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  35. 35EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  36. 36CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.2
  37. 37Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1.2
  38. 38ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  39. 39BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.1
  40. 40Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  41. 41EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.1
  42. 42AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century1.1
  43. 43Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  44. 44HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.1
  45. 45James MadisonJames Madison1751–1836 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas1225–1274 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.0
  47. 47Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.0
  48. 48LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  49. 49SuhartoSuharto1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians0.99
  50. 50Tony BlairTony Blairborn 1953 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.97
  51. 51Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.96
  52. 52John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.96
  53. 53Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.95
  54. 54AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models0.94
  55. 55Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.94
  56. 56Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh1890–1969 · 20th century · Politicians0.94
  57. 57PlotinusPlotinus205–270 · 3rd century · Academics0.93
  58. 58SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.92
  59. 59Osama bin LadenOsama bin Laden1957–2011 · 20th century · Scientists0.92
  60. 60HoseaHoseaborn 784 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.92
  61. 61Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.90
  62. 62Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians0.90
  63. 63Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.90
  64. 64Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.88
  65. 65Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures0.87
  66. 66William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.87
  67. 67Jane AustenJane Austen1775–1817 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.87
  68. 68XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.85
  69. 69Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter1924–2024 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.83
  70. 70PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.82
  71. 71TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics0.82
  72. 72AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.82
  73. 73Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.81
  74. 74PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.81
  75. 75John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.81
  76. 76GoliathGoliath1100 BC–1023 BC · 2nd millennium BC0.80
  77. 77Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.79
  78. 78Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.77
  79. 79Al GoreAl Goreborn 1948 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.76
  80. 80William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare1564–1616 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.75
  81. 81Charles DarwinCharles Darwin1809–1882 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists0.75
  82. 82UsherUsherborn 1978 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0.74
  83. 83Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians0.73
  84. 84Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.73
  85. 85Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century0.73
  86. 86Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.73
  87. 87HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century0.73
  88. 88HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.73
  89. 89Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Activists0.73
  90. 90Oscar WildeOscar Wilde1854–1900 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.72
  91. 91TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.72
  92. 92Mary MagdaleneMary Magdalenedied 100 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Academics0.72
  93. 93SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.72
  94. 94CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.71
  95. 95Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.71
  96. 96Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.71
  97. 97Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.71
  98. 98Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.71
  99. 99William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists0.71
  100. 100AeschylusAeschylus525 BC–456 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.71

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 2000s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Elon MuskElon Muskborn 1971 · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Founders1 decades
  2. 2Michael SchumacherMichael Schumacherborn 1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Athletes3 decades
  3. 3Zinedine ZidaneZinedine Zidaneborn 1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  4. 4Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprioborn 1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  5. 5Celine DionCeline Dionborn 1968 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians1 decades
  6. 6Dmitry MedvedevDmitry Medvedevborn 1965 · Politicians3 decades
  7. 7Melania TrumpMelania Trumpborn 1970 · Models1 decades
  8. 8EminemEminemborn 1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  9. 9Julia RobertsJulia Robertsborn 1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  10. 10Marine Le PenMarine Le Penborn 1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades
  11. 11Justin TrudeauJustin Trudeauborn 1971 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians1 decades
  12. 12Nicole KidmanNicole Kidmanborn 1967 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Actors3 decades
  13. 13Felipe VI of SpainFelipe VI of Spainborn 1968 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  14. 14Heath LedgerHeath Ledger1979–2008 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Actors2 decades
  15. 15Matt DamonMatt Damonborn 1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  16. 16Dwayne JohnsonDwayne Johnsonborn 1972 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors1 decades
  17. 17Pedro SánchezPedro Sánchezborn 1972 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians5 decades
  18. 18Christopher NolanChristopher Nolanborn 1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors2 decades
  19. 19Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopezborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  20. 20Penélope CruzPenélope Cruzborn 1974 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors3 decades
  21. 21Bashar al-AssadBashar al-Assadborn 1965 · Politicians2 decades
  22. 22J. K. RowlingJ. K. Rowlingborn 1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  23. 23Jason StathamJason Stathamborn 1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  24. 24Daniel CraigDaniel Craigborn 1968 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  25. 25Pamela AndersonPamela Andersonborn 1967 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors3 decades
  26. 26Will SmithWill Smithborn 1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  27. 27Ben AffleckBen Affleckborn 1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  28. 28Cameron DiazCameron Diazborn 1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  29. 29Cate BlanchettCate Blanchettborn 1969 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Actors2 decades
  30. 30Javier MileiJavier Mileiborn 1970 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Academicsnot measured—
  31. 31Robbie WilliamsRobbie Williamsborn 1974 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians2 decades
  32. 32Winona RyderWinona Ryderborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  33. 33Pep GuardiolaPep Guardiolaborn 1971 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballers1 decades
  34. 34Mark WahlbergMark Wahlbergborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  35. 35Paul WalkerPaul Walker1973–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  36. 36Salma HayekSalma Hayekborn 1966 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Jennifer AnistonJennifer Anistonborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  38. 38Uma ThurmanUma Thurmanborn 1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  39. 39Steffi GrafSteffi Grafborn 1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Tennis Players4 decades
  40. 40Jürgen KloppJürgen Kloppborn 1967 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers2 decades
  41. 41Gwyneth PaltrowGwyneth Paltrowborn 1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  42. 42Gianni InfantinoGianni Infantinoborn 1970 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Footballersnot measured—
  43. 43Andre AgassiAndre Agassiborn 1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Tennis Players3 decades
  44. 44Matthew McConaugheyMatthew McConaugheyborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  45. 45Robert Downey Jr.Robert Downey Jr.born 1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  46. 46Roberto BaggioRoberto Baggioborn 1967 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  47. 47Catherine Zeta-JonesCatherine Zeta-Jonesborn 1969 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  48. 48Javier BardemJavier Bardemborn 1969 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors3 decades
  49. 49Marco RubioMarco Rubioborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades
  50. 50Charlie SheenCharlie Sheenborn 1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  51. 51Renée ZellwegerRenée Zellwegerborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  52. 52Mariah CareyMariah Careyborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  53. 53Christian BaleChristian Baleborn 1974 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  54. 54Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin Phoenixborn 1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  55. 55Adam SandlerAdam Sandlerborn 1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  56. 56Hugh JackmanHugh Jackmanborn 1968 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Actors2 decades
  57. 57David GuettaDavid Guettaborn 1967 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians1 decades
  58. 58Didier DeschampsDidier Deschampsborn 1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  59. 59Heidi KlumHeidi Klumborn 1973 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2 decades
  60. 60Jared LetoJared Letoborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  61. 61Mark CarneyMark Carneyborn 1965 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians1 decades
  62. 62Jude LawJude Lawborn 1972 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  63. 63Halle BerryHalle Berryborn 1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  64. 64Lance ArmstrongLance Armstrongborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes2 decades
  65. 65Jeremy RennerJeremy Rennerborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  66. 66Gillian AndersonGillian Andersonborn 1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  67. 67Helena Bonham CarterHelena Bonham Carterborn 1966 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  68. 68Alessandro Del PieroAlessandro Del Pieroborn 1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  69. 69Edward NortonEdward Nortonborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  70. 70Mike TysonMike Tysonborn 1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes4 decades
  71. 71Sophie MarceauSophie Marceauborn 1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors4 decades
  72. 72Vin DieselVin Dieselborn 1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  73. 73Naomi WattsNaomi Wattsborn 1968 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  74. 74Jennifer ConnellyJennifer Connellyborn 1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors1 decades
  75. 75Grigori PerelmanGrigori Perelmanborn 1966 · Academics1 decades
  76. 76Marilyn MansonMarilyn Mansonborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  77. 77Snoop DoggSnoop Doggborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  78. 78Rachel WeiszRachel Weiszborn 1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  79. 79Sinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'Connor1966–2023 · Musicians0 decades
  80. 80BanksyBanksyborn 1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists2 decades
  81. 81Janet JacksonJanet Jacksonborn 1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  82. 82Adrien BrodyAdrien Brodyborn 1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors1 decades
  83. 83Brendan FraserBrendan Fraserborn 1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors1 decades
  84. 84Philip Seymour HoffmanPhilip Seymour Hoffman1967–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  85. 85Felix BaumgartnerFelix Baumgartner1969–2025 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Athletes1 decades
  86. 86Idris ElbaIdris Elbaborn 1972 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  87. 87Vanessa ParadisVanessa Paradisborn 1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  88. 88Kylie MinogueKylie Minogueborn 1968 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Musicians3 decades
  89. 89Ricky MartinRicky Martinborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  90. 90Eric CantonaEric Cantonaborn 1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  91. 91Ethan HawkeEthan Hawkeborn 1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  92. 92Ewan McGregorEwan McGregorborn 1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  93. 93Sergey BrinSergey Brinborn 1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists2 decades
  94. 94George WeahGeorge Weahborn 1966 · Politicians0 decades
  95. 95Paolo MaldiniPaolo Maldiniborn 1968 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  96. 96Matthew PerryMatthew Perry1969–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  97. 97Luis EnriqueLuis Enriqueborn 1970 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballersnot measured—
  98. 98Sofía VergaraSofía Vergaraborn 1972 · Actors2 decades
  99. 99Jack BlackJack Blackborn 1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors2 decades
  100. 100Ben StillerBen Stillerborn 1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 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.