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 Russian books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians4.2
  2. 2Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures3.9
  3. 3Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures3.5
  4. 4Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers3.2
  5. 5Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models2.9
  6. 6Vladimir PutinVladimir Putinborn 1952 · 20th century · Politicians2.8
  7. 7Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.7
  8. 8Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.4
  9. 9Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians2.4
  10. 10Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures2.3
  11. 11Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.3
  12. 12Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.1
  13. 13Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians2.0
  14. 14Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  15. 15Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians2.0
  16. 16Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  17. 17Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.8
  18. 18Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.7
  19. 19Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures1.5
  20. 20Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers1.5
  21. 21Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.4
  22. 22Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.3
  23. 23Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  24. 24Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century1.1
  25. 25Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  26. 26Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.1
  27. 27Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  28. 28Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians1.1
  29. 29Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  30. 30Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  31. 31Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.0
  32. 32Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  33. 33Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.99
  34. 34Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.94
  35. 35Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.91
  36. 36Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.91
  37. 37Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.87
  38. 38Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.84
  39. 39Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.82
  40. 40Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.82
  41. 41Patriarch Alexius IIPatriarch Alexius II1929–2008 · 20th century · Religious Figures0.82
  42. 42Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.82
  43. 43Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.77
  44. 44Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.74
  45. 45Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.74
  46. 46Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.71
  47. 47Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.65
  48. 48Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.63
  49. 49Joseph BrodskyJoseph Brodsky1940–1996 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  50. 50Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.62
  51. 51Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.61
  52. 52Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.57
  53. 53Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.57
  54. 54Dmitry MedvedevDmitry Medvedevborn 1965 · 21st century · Politicians0.54
  55. 55Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.54
  56. 56Yury LuzhkovYury Luzhkov1936–2019 · 20th century · Politicians0.54
  57. 57Vladimir VysotskyVladimir Vysotsky1938–1980 · 20th century · Musicians0.51
  58. 58Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.51
  59. 59Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.49
  60. 60Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.49
  61. 61Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.48
  62. 62Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.48
  63. 63Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.47
  64. 64Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.46
  65. 65Seraphim of SarovSeraphim of Sarov1754–1833 · 18th century0.45
  66. 66Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.44
  67. 67Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.43
  68. 68John of KronstadtJohn of Kronstadt1829–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.43
  69. 69Aleksandr SolzhenitsynAleksandr Solzhenitsyn1918–2008 · 20th century · Writers0.42
  70. 70Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians0.42
  71. 71Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.42
  72. 72Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov1891–1940 · 20th century · Writers0.41
  73. 73Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.41
  74. 74Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.41
  75. 75Boris BerezovskyBoris Berezovsky1946–2013 · 20th century · Academics0.41
  76. 76Heydar AliyevHeydar Aliyev1923–2003 · 20th century · Politicians0.41
  77. 77Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.39
  78. 78Korney ChukovskyKorney Chukovsky1882–1969 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  79. 79Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  80. 80Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.38
  81. 81Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  82. 82Nursultan NazarbayevNursultan Nazarbayevborn 1940 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  83. 83Alla PugachevaAlla Pugachevaborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Musicians0.37
  84. 84Bulat OkudzhavaBulat Okudzhava1924–1997 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  85. 85Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  86. 86Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.35
  87. 87Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.34
  88. 88Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov1899–1977 · 20th century · Writers0.32
  89. 89Andrei PlatonovAndrei Platonov1899–1951 · 20th century · Writers0.32
  90. 90Vladimir ZhirinovskyVladimir Zhirinovsky1946–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.31
  91. 91Nikolai BerdyaevNikolai Berdyaev1874–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.31
  92. 92Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.31
  93. 93Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.30
  94. 94ZemfiraZemfiraborn 1976 · 21st century · Musicians0.30
  95. 95Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.30
  96. 96Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.29
  97. 97Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.29
  98. 98Nikita MikhalkovNikita Mikhalkovborn 1945 · 20th century · Directors0.29
  99. 99Lavrentiy BeriaLavrentiy Beria1899–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.29
  100. 100Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · 19th century · Writers0.29

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.