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 Chinese books during the 2000s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,641German4,170French3,957Italian2,092Spanish1,640Russian883Chinese287Hebrew151
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians126
  2. 2Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians87
  3. 3Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians65
  4. 4Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers46
  5. 5Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians34
  6. 6Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians32
  7. 7Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians15
  8. 8Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  9. 9ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics12
  10. 10Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians6.1
  11. 11Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.5
  12. 12Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.4
  13. 13Chen Shui-bianChen Shui-bianborn 1950 · 20th century · Politicians5.3
  14. 14LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.2
  15. 15Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors4.2
  16. 16Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3.4
  17. 17Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians3.4
  18. 18Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics2.5
  19. 19GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers2.4
  20. 20Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.3
  21. 21Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.8
  22. 22Zhang YimouZhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors1.8
  23. 23Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  24. 24Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  25. 25Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.6
  26. 26Zhu RongjiZhu Rongjiborn 1928 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.6
  27. 27Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.3
  28. 28Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.2
  29. 29LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.00
  30. 30Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.99
  31. 31Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.96
  32. 32Jack MaJack Maborn 1964 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Founders0.92
  33. 33Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.87
  34. 34Ma Ying-jeouMa Ying-jeouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.81
  35. 35Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.80
  36. 36Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.80
  37. 37Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers0.78
  38. 38Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.77
  39. 39Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.71
  40. 40Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.68
  41. 41Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.66
  42. 42Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.64
  43. 43Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.53
  44. 44Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.53
  45. 45Yao MingYao Mingborn 1980 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Basketball Players0.51
  46. 46Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.46
  47. 47Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.42
  48. 48Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.42
  49. 49Li KeqiangLi Keqiang1955–2023 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.42
  50. 50Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.42
  51. 51Bruce LeeBruce Lee1940–1973 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.41
  52. 52Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.39
  53. 53Xi JinpingXi Jinpingborn 1953 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.38
  54. 54Pang DePang De170–219 · 3rd century0.38
  55. 55Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.35
  56. 56Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.35
  57. 57Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.31
  58. 58Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.30
  59. 59Wong Kar-waiWong Kar-waiborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors0.29
  60. 60Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.27
  61. 61WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists0.27
  62. 62Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.25
  63. 63KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.25
  64. 64Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.24
  65. 65Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.24
  66. 66Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.23
  67. 67Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  68. 68Yuan JieYuan Jie719–772 · 8th century · Writers0.22
  69. 69Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.21
  70. 70Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.20
  71. 71Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.20
  72. 72Liu XiangLiu Xiangborn 1983 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Athletes0.19
  73. 73Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.19
  74. 74Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.19
  75. 75Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians0.19
  76. 76Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.18
  77. 77Zhang JuzhengZhang Juzheng1525–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.17
  78. 78Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.16
  79. 79MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.16
  80. 80Wang WeiWang Wei699–759 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.16
  81. 81Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers0.15
  82. 82Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.14
  83. 83Faye WongFaye Wongborn 1969 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Musicians0.13
  84. 84Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.12
  85. 85Jay ChouJay Chouborn 1979 · 21st century · Musicians0.11
  86. 86Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.11
  87. 87LQLiu Qing78–106 · 2nd century0.11
  88. 88Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.10
  89. 89Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.10
  90. 90Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.10
  91. 91Leslie CheungLeslie Cheung1956–2003 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Musicians0.10
  92. 92PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.09
  93. 93Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.09
  94. 94Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.09
  95. 95Wang BiWang Bi226–249 · 3rd century · Politicians0.09
  96. 96Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.09
  97. 97Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians0.09
  98. 98Zhang XuechengZhang Xuecheng1738–1801 · 18th century · Academics0.08
  99. 99Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.08
  100. 100Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.08

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.