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 French books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers23
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures12
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8.7
  4. 4StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8.4
  5. 5MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8.2
  6. 6Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7.7
  7. 7Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians7.5
  8. 8François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6.1
  9. 9Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.9
  10. 10Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures4.8
  11. 11Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures4.6
  12. 12George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4.4
  13. 13Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.7
  14. 14Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.4
  15. 15Lionel JospinLionel Jospin1937–2026 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.3
  16. 16Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.2
  17. 17Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.1
  18. 18François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures3.0
  19. 19Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.9
  20. 20HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France2.9
  21. 21Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects2.9
  22. 22Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor1500–1558 · 16th century · Historical Figures2.9
  23. 23André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.8
  24. 24Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.8
  25. 25Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.7
  26. 26Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.7
  27. 27André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.7
  28. 28Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.4
  29. 29Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.4
  30. 30Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  31. 31Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.2
  32. 32Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.1
  33. 33Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.1
  34. 34Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.1
  35. 35Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  36. 36Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics2.0
  37. 37Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians2.0
  38. 38André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  39. 39Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  40. 40Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  41. 41Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  42. 42Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  43. 43Ségolène RoyalSégolène Royalborn 1953 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  44. 44Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  45. 45Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  46. 46Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  47. 47Dominique de VillepinDominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  48. 48Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.7
  49. 49Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  50. 50Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.7
  51. 51Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.6
  52. 52François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  53. 53Saint-John PerseSaint-John Perse1887–1975 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  54. 54Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.6
  55. 55Marguerite YourcenarMarguerite Yourcenar1903–1987 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  56. 56Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  57. 57Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.5
  58. 58Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.4
  59. 59Paul RicœurPaul Ricœur1913–2005 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  60. 60Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  61. 61Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  62. 62Jean MonnetJean Monnet1888–1979 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  63. 63Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  64. 64Raymond AronRaymond Aron1905–1983 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  65. 65Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists1.3
  66. 66Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.3
  67. 67Gilles DeleuzeGilles Deleuze1925–1995 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  68. 68Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  69. 69Laurent GbagboLaurent Gbagboborn 1945 · 20th century · Politicians1.3
  70. 70AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  71. 71Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  72. 72HergéHergé1907–1983 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  73. 73Claude SimonClaude Simon1913–2005 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  74. 74Claude Lévi-StraussClaude Lévi-Strauss1908–2009 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.2
  75. 75Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  76. 76Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  77. 77Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  78. 78Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  79. 79Marcel MaussMarcel Mauss1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.1
  80. 80Léopold Sédar SenghorLéopold Sédar Senghor1906–2001 · 20th century · Politicians1.1
  81. 81Laurent FabiusLaurent Fabiusborn 1946 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  82. 82Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  83. 83Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  84. 84Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  85. 85Georges BatailleGeorges Bataille1897–1962 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.99
  86. 86François BayrouFrançois Bayrouborn 1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.98
  87. 87Alain JuppéAlain Juppéborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.96
  88. 88Georges PerecGeorges Perec1936–1982 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.94
  89. 89Abdoulaye WadeAbdoulaye Wadeborn 1926 · 20th century · Politicians0.93
  90. 90Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.92
  91. 91Jacques MaritainJacques Maritain1882–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.92
  92. 92Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.91
  93. 93Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.91
  94. 94Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.87
  95. 95François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.87
  96. 96Raymond QueneauRaymond Queneau1903–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.85
  97. 97Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.84
  98. 98Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.84
  99. 99Paul BiyaPaul Biyaborn 1933 · 20th century · Politicians0.82
  100. 100Omar BongoOmar Bongo1935–2009 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.82

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.