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 Italian books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists8.7
  2. 2GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.6
  3. 3Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics4.6
  4. 4Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists4.4
  5. 5Silvio BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi1936–2023 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3.5
  6. 6Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.5
  7. 7Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics3.4
  8. 8Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers3.3
  9. 9DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists2.9
  10. 10Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.8
  11. 11Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.7
  12. 12Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  13. 13Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures2.6
  14. 14Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.3
  15. 15Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.3
  16. 16Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians2.2
  17. 17Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.1
  18. 18Italo CalvinoItalo Calvino1923–1985 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists2.0
  19. 19Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.0
  20. 20Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.0
  21. 21TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  22. 22MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  23. 23PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.9
  24. 24Piero della FrancescaPiero della Francesca1415–1492 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.8
  25. 25Luigi EinaudiLuigi Einaudi1874–1961 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.8
  26. 26Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians1.8
  27. 27GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.8
  28. 28Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.7
  29. 29Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  30. 30Primo LeviPrimo Levi1919–1987 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.7
  31. 31ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.7
  32. 32FarinelliFarinelli1705–1782 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.6
  33. 33Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  34. 34Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  35. 35Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.6
  36. 36Romano ProdiRomano Prodiborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  37. 37Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  38. 38Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  39. 39Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  40. 40Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.4
  41. 41Guido ReniGuido Reni1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.4
  42. 42Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers1.3
  43. 43Pietro da CortonaPietro da Cortona1596–1669 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.3
  44. 44Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.3
  45. 45Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.3
  46. 46Cesare PaveseCesare Pavese1908–1950 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.3
  47. 47Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.3
  48. 48Federico BorromeoFederico Borromeo1564–1631 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.3
  49. 49CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists1.3
  50. 50Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari1511–1574 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.3
  51. 51Antonio CanovaAntonio Canova1757–1822 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.3
  52. 52Eugenio MontaleEugenio Montale1896–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  53. 53Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti1906–1976 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors1.2
  54. 54Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.2
  55. 55Giovanni PascoliGiovanni Pascoli1855–1912 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  56. 56Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists1.2
  57. 57Leopoldo de' MediciLeopoldo de' Medici1617–1675 · 17th century · Religious Figures1.2
  58. 58DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists1.2
  59. 59Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics1.2
  60. 60CanalettoCanaletto1697–1768 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.2
  61. 61Alcide De GasperiAlcide De Gasperi1881–1954 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  62. 62Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers1.1
  63. 63Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.1
  64. 64Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors1.1
  65. 65Giulio AndreottiGiulio Andreotti1919–2013 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.1
  66. 66Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini1430–1516 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  67. 67Carlo GoldoniCarlo Goldoni1707–1793 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  68. 68Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.1
  69. 69Massimo D'AlemaMassimo D'Alemaborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.1
  70. 70Andrea PalladioAndrea Palladio1508–1580 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects1.0
  71. 71Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.00
  72. 72Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians0.99
  73. 73Dario FoDario Fo1926–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.99
  74. 74Leonardo BruniLeonardo Bruni1369–1444 · 15th century · Writers0.98
  75. 75Isabella d'Este, Duchess of ParmaIsabella d'Este, Duchess of Parma1635–1666 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.98
  76. 76Isabella d'EsteIsabella d'Este1474–1539 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.98
  77. 77Angelo BeolcoAngelo Beolco1496–1542 · 16th century · Writers0.98
  78. 78Bettino CraxiBettino Craxi1934–2000 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.97
  79. 79Andrea MantegnaAndrea Mantegna1431–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.95
  80. 80Palmiro TogliattiPalmiro Togliatti1893–1964 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.94
  81. 81Filippo TuratiFilippo Turati1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.94
  82. 82Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.93
  83. 83Alberto MoraviaAlberto Moravia1907–1990 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.93
  84. 84PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.92
  85. 85Simone MartiniSimone Martini1284–1344 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.89
  86. 86Giuliano AmatoGiuliano Amatoborn 1938 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.88
  87. 87Domenico PassignanoDomenico Passignano1559–1638 · 16th century · Artists0.88
  88. 88Fra AngelicoFra Angelico1390–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.88
  89. 89PisanelloPisanello1395–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.87
  90. 90Luca GiordanoLuca Giordano1634–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.86
  91. 91Lorenzo LottoLorenzo Lotto1480–1556 · 16th century · Artists0.86
  92. 92Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians0.86
  93. 93Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.85
  94. 94Italo SvevoItalo Svevo1861–1928 · 19th century · Writers0.85
  95. 95Carlo Azeglio CiampiCarlo Azeglio Ciampi1920–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.84
  96. 96Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics0.83
  97. 97Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.83
  98. 98Tommaso CampanellaTommaso Campanella1568–1639 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.81
  99. 99Annibale CarracciAnnibale Carracci1560–1609 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.81
  100. 100Giambattista VicoGiambattista Vico1668–1744 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.79

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.