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 German books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14
  2. 2Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures9.4
  3. 3Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures9.4
  4. 4Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany9.4
  5. 5Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures9.4
  6. 6Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6.3
  7. 7NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.5
  8. 8Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5.1
  9. 9John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures5.1
  10. 10John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5.0
  11. 11John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5.0
  12. 12John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany5.0
  13. 13John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models5.0
  14. 14John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures5.0
  15. 15John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5.0
  16. 16Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.2
  17. 17Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.8
  18. 18Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.6
  19. 19Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.6
  20. 20Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.6
  21. 21Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.6
  22. 22Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.6
  23. 23Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.6
  24. 24Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians3.5
  25. 25Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures3.2
  26. 26Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians3.1
  27. 27WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  28. 28William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.0
  29. 29William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.0
  30. 30WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.0
  31. 31Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  32. 32Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  33. 33William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures3.0
  34. 34William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures3.0
  35. 35WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  36. 36Gerhard SchröderGerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.8
  37. 37Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.8
  38. 38Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.8
  39. 39Walter BenjaminWalter Benjamin1892–1940 · 20th century · Academics2.7
  40. 40Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud1856–1939 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers2.6
  41. 41ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.6
  42. 42Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.6
  43. 43Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.6
  44. 44Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche1844–1900 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.5
  45. 45Hannah ArendtHannah Arendt1906–1975 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.3
  46. 46Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures2.3
  47. 47Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  48. 48Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  49. 49Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.3
  50. 50Jürgen HabermasJürgen Habermas1929–2026 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.2
  51. 51Karl KrausKarl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers2.1
  52. 52Frederick Augustus, Duke of Württemberg-NeuenstadtFrederick Augustus, Duke of Württemberg-Neuenstadt1654–1716 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  53. 53Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of OldenburgFrederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg1852–1931 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  54. 54Frederick Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-ZerbstFrederick Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst1734–1793 · 18th century · Historical Figures2.1
  55. 55Frederick August I, Duke of OldenburgFrederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg1711–1785 · 18th century · Models2.1
  56. 56Frederick Augustus, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-OelsFrederick Augustus, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Oels1740–1805 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.1
  57. 57Carl SchmittCarl Schmitt1888–1985 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.1
  58. 58Günter GrassGünter Grass1927–2015 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.1
  59. 59William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.1
  60. 60William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.1
  61. 61William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.1
  62. 62William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.1
  63. 63William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  64. 64Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.1
  65. 65WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.1
  66. 66William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  67. 67William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  68. 68Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.1
  69. 69Immanuel KantImmanuel Kant1724–1804 · 18th century · Academics2.1
  70. 70Franz KafkaFranz Kafka1883–1924 · 20th century · Writers2.0
  71. 71George Frederick of Waldeck-EisenbergGeorge Frederick of Waldeck-Eisenberg1620–1692 · 17th century · Models2.0
  72. 72Christa WolfChrista Wolf1929–2011 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.0
  73. 73Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures2.0
  74. 74Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  75. 75Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  76. 76Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  77. 77Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  78. 78Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  79. 79Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  80. 80Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  81. 81Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians2.0
  82. 82Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  83. 83Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.9
  84. 84Friedrich SchillerFriedrich Schiller1759–1805 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.9
  85. 85Anna SeghersAnna Seghers1900–1983 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.9
  86. 86Richard StraussRichard Strauss1864–1949 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians1.9
  87. 87Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.9
  88. 88Martin HeideggerMartin Heidegger1889–1976 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.9
  89. 89Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  90. 90Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  91. 91Theodor W. AdornoTheodor W. Adorno1903–1969 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.8
  92. 92Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.8
  93. 93Angela MerkelAngela Merkelborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  94. 94John William III of Saxe-EisenachJohn William III of Saxe-Eisenach1666–1729 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  95. 95John William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-BergJohn William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg1562–1609 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.7
  96. 96John William, Duke of Saxe-WeimarJohn William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar1530–1573 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  97. 97JWJohn William, Duke of Saxe-Jena1675–1690 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  98. 98Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians1.7
  99. 99Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  100. 100Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7

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.