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 Hebrew books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1Reuven RivlinReuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians30
  2. 2Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers13
  3. 3Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century11
  4. 4Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians9.0
  5. 5HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures9.0
  6. 6Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8.6
  7. 7Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8.4
  8. 8Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians7.8
  9. 9Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians7.0
  10. 10Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers6.9
  11. 11Ehud BarakEhud Barakborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians6.0
  12. 12Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians5.7
  13. 13JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers5.6
  14. 14Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians5.2
  15. 15Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians4.6
  16. 16Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics4.6
  17. 17SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.4
  18. 18Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century4.3
  19. 19Ehud OlmertEhud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4.2
  20. 20NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century4.2
  21. 21Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures4.1
  22. 22Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC3.9
  23. 23Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century3.9
  24. 24Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.9
  25. 25Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.5
  26. 26Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers3.4
  27. 27Yitzhak ShamirYitzhak Shamir1915–2012 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.3
  28. 28JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.2
  29. 29Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians3.1
  30. 30Amos OzAmos Oz1939–2018 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers3.0
  31. 31Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century2.9
  32. 32HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures2.6
  33. 33Isaac HerzogIsaac Herzogborn 1960 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2.5
  34. 34Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century2.4
  35. 35Tzipi LivniTzipi Livniborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2.3
  36. 36YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers2.1
  37. 37Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC1.9
  38. 38SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century1.8
  39. 39SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers1.7
  40. 40Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.3
  41. 41Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.3
  42. 42HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century1.1
  43. 43Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.1
  44. 44Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics1.0
  45. 45Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.0
  46. 46Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.98
  47. 47Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.95
  48. 48Chaim HerzogChaim Herzog1918–1997 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.93
  49. 49Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.90
  50. 50Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.88
  51. 51Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.81
  52. 52Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.70
  53. 53Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.70
  54. 54Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.68
  55. 55Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.57
  56. 56Gilad ShalitGilad Shalitborn 1986 · 21st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.57
  57. 57Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.56
  58. 58EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.55
  59. 59MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.55
  60. 60Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.53
  61. 61Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.52
  62. 62Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.51
  63. 63Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.51
  64. 64Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.47
  65. 65IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.45
  66. 66Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.45
  67. 67Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.43
  68. 68EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.43
  69. 69Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.41
  70. 70Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics0.41
  71. 71ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.41
  72. 72Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.37
  73. 73OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.36
  74. 74David GrossmanDavid Grossmanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.36
  75. 75Mahmoud DarwishMahmoud Darwish1941–2008 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  76. 76Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.33
  77. 77Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.33
  78. 78Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.31
  79. 79BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.30
  80. 80Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.29
  81. 81Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.27
  82. 82Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.25
  83. 83IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.24
  84. 84Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.23
  85. 85Ilan RamonIlan Ramon1954–2003 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel0.22
  86. 86JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.21
  87. 87JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.21
  88. 88Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.21
  89. 89Etgar KeretEtgar Keretborn 1967 · 21st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.21
  90. 90PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.21
  91. 91Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.20
  92. 92JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.19
  93. 93RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.18
  94. 94IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.17
  95. 95Yair LapidYair Lapidborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.15
  96. 96Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.14
  97. 97Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.14
  98. 98JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.12
  99. 99NBNissim ben Jacob990–1062 · 11th century · Writers0.12
  100. 100Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.12

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.