215,950 profiles ranked

← Fame through time2010-2019

The 2010s

Whose names filled the books of the 2010s - 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 German books during the 2010s, whenever they lived.

  1. 1Thomas Mann1875-1955 · 20th century · United States · Writers3.2
  2. 2Max Weber1864-1920 · 19th century · Germany · Academics2.5
  3. 3Martin Luther1483-1546 · 16th century · Germany · Religious Figures2.3
  4. 4Novalis1772-1801 · 19th century · Germany · Writers2.3
  5. 5Karl Marx1818-1883 · 19th century · Germany · Academics2.1
  6. 6Jean Paul1763-1825 · 18th century · Germany · Writers2.0
  7. 7Adolf Hitler1889-1945 · 20th century · Austria · Politicians1.6
  8. 8Sigmund Freud1856-1939 · 19th century · Austria · Doctors1.5
  9. 9Immanuel Kant1724-1804 · 18th century · Academics1.3
  10. 10Angela Merkelborn 1954 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.3
  11. 11Friedrich Nietzsche1844-1900 · 19th century · Germany · Academics1.2
  12. 12Paracelsus1493-1541 · 16th century · Switzerland · Doctors1.2
  13. 13Richard Wagner1813-1883 · 19th century · Germany · Musicians1.1
  14. 14Jürgen Habermas1929-2026 · 20th century · Germany · Academics1.1
  15. 15Maria Theresa1717-1780 · 18th century · Austria · Historical Figures1.1
  16. 16Walter Benjamin1892-1940 · 20th century · Academics1.1
  17. 17Helmut Kohl1930-2017 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.1
  18. 18Heinrich Heine1797-1856 · 19th century · France · Writers1.1
  19. 19Hannah Arendt1906-1975 · 20th century · United States · Academics1.0
  20. 20Willy Brandt1913-1992 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.0
  21. 21Helmut Schmidt1918-2015 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.98
  22. 22Albert Einstein1879-1955 · 20th century · Switzerland · Scientists0.97
  23. 23Carl Schmitt1888-1985 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.96
  24. 24Friedrich Schiller1759-1805 · 18th century · Germany · Writers0.91
  25. 25Johann Wolfgang von Goethe1749-1832 · 18th century · Writers0.89
  26. 26Rudolf Steiner1861-1925 · 19th century · Switzerland · Writers0.86
  27. 27Franz Kafka1883-1924 · 20th century · Czechia · Writers0.85
  28. 28Friedrich Engels1820-1895 · 19th century · United Kingdom · Academics0.83
  29. 29Bertolt Brecht1898-1956 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.80
  30. 30Theodor W. Adorno1903-1969 · 20th century · United States · Academics0.77
  31. 31Friedrich Schlegel1772-1829 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.74
  32. 32Pope Benedict XVI1927-2022 · 20th century · Germany · Religious Figures0.74
  33. 33Martin Heidegger1889-1976 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.74
  34. 34Theodor Fontane1819-1898 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.73
  35. 35Hermann Hesse1877-1962 · 20th century · Switzerland · Writers0.72
  36. 36Gerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.72
  37. 37Konrad Adenauer1876-1967 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.71
  38. 38Karl Barth1886-1968 · 20th century · Switzerland · Academics0.69
  39. 39George Frederick of Waldeck-Eisenberg1620-1692 · 17th century · Models0.66
  40. 40Robert Koch1843-1910 · 19th century · Germany · Doctors0.66
  41. 41Karl May1842-1912 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.66
  42. 42Wilhelm von Humboldt1767-1835 · 19th century · Germany · Academics0.65
  43. 43Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757-1828 · 18th century · Politicians0.64
  44. 44Tannhäuser1300-1300 · 14th century · Germany · Writers0.64
  45. 45Georg Simmel1858-1918 · 19th century · Academics0.63
  46. 46Stefan George1868-1933 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.63
  47. 47Günter Grass1927-2015 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.62
  48. 48Rainer Maria Rilke1875-1926 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.61
  49. 49Stefan Zweig1881-1942 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.60
  50. 50Martin Buber1878-1965 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.60
  51. 51Ernst Jünger1895-1998 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.59
  52. 52Karl Kraus1874-1936 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.59
  53. 53Heinrich Mann1871-1950 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.58
  54. 54William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532-1592 · 16th century · Germany · Scientists0.57
  55. 55Erich Honecker1912-1994 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.52
  56. 56Heinrich von Kleist1777-1811 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.51
  57. 57Frederick William IV of Prussia1795-1861 · 19th century · Politicians0.50
  58. 58Rosa Luxemburg1871-1919 · 20th century · Germany · Activists0.50
  59. 59Erich Kästner1899-1974 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.49
  60. 60Thomas Bernhard1931-1989 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.48
  61. 61Hugo von Hofmannsthal1874-1929 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.48
  62. 62Christa Wolf1929-2011 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.47
  63. 63Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633-1695 · 17th century · Germany · Writers0.47
  64. 64Robert Musil1880-1942 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.46
  65. 65Karl Jaspers1883-1969 · 20th century · Germany · Doctors0.46
  66. 66Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor1741-1790 · 18th century · Austria · Historical Figures0.45
  67. 67Joseph Goebbels1897-1945 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.44
  68. 68Dietrich Bonhoeffer1906-1945 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.44
  69. 69Walter Ulbricht1893-1973 · 20th century · Politicians0.44
  70. 70Ernst Bloch1885-1977 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.44
  71. 71Frederick Charles, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental1652-1698 · 17th century · Politicians0.43
  72. 72Max Frisch1911-1991 · 20th century · Switzerland · Writers0.42
  73. 73Gottfried Benn1886-1956 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.42
  74. 74Hildegard of Bingen1098-1179 · 12th century · Germany · Doctors0.41
  75. 75Klaus Mann1906-1949 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.40
  76. 76Robert Bosch1861-1942 · 19th century · Germany · Scientists0.40
  77. 77Johann Gottfried Herder1744-1803 · 18th century · Academics0.39
  78. 78Arthur Schopenhauer1788-1860 · 19th century · Academics0.39
  79. 79Ingeborg Bachmann1926-1973 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.39
  80. 80Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316-1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.38
  81. 81Max Planck1858-1947 · 19th century · Germany · Scientists0.38
  82. 82Albrecht Dürer1471-1528 · 16th century · Germany · Artists0.38
  83. 83Johann Sebastian Bach1685-1750 · 18th century · Germany · Musicians0.38
  84. 84Arthur Schnitzler1862-1931 · 19th century · Austria · Writers0.37
  85. 85Moses Mendelssohn1729-1786 · 18th century · Germany · Academics0.37
  86. 86Erich Fromm1900-1980 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.37
  87. 87Richard Strauss1864-1949 · 19th century · Germany · Musicians0.37
  88. 88Heinrich Himmler1900-1945 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.36
  89. 89Ernst Cassirer1874-1945 · 20th century · Germany · Academics0.36
  90. 90Gerhart Hauptmann1862-1946 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.36
  91. 91Wilhelm Grimm1786-1859 · 19th century · Germany · Writers0.36
  92. 92Ludwig Erhard1897-1977 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians0.36
  93. 93Jacob Grimm1785-1863 · 19th century · Germany · Academics0.36
  94. 94Peter Handkeborn 1942 · 20th century · Austria · Writers0.35
  95. 95Hans Sachs1494-1576 · 16th century · Germany · Writers0.35
  96. 96Ludwig Wittgenstein1889-1951 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Academics0.35
  97. 97Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz1646-1716 · 17th century · Academics0.35
  98. 98Heinrich Böll1917-1985 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.35
  99. 99Theodor Heuss1884-1963 · 20th century · Germany · Journalists0.35
  100. 100Gottfried Keller1819-1890 · 19th century · Switzerland · Writers0.35

Most read

Who people actually looked up in the 2010s, across every language edition we measure (2015-2019 only - readership is measured from July 2015).

  1. 1Donald Trumpborn 1946 · 20th century · United States · Politicians163.5M
  2. 2Elizabeth II1926-2022 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures84.1M
  3. 3Cristiano Ronaldoborn 1985 · 21st century · Portugal · Footballers75M
  4. 4Freddie Mercury1946-1991 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Musicians69.5M
  5. 5Pablo Escobar1949-1993 · 20th century · Colombia · Politicians68.1M
  6. 6Lionel Messiborn 1987 · 21st century · Argentina · Footballers62.4M
  7. 7Elon Muskborn 1971 · 21st century · South Africa · Founders57M
  8. 8Stephen Hawking1942-2018 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Scientists54.9M
  9. 9Barack Obamaborn 1961 · 20th century · United States · Politicians54.9M
  10. 10Dwayne Johnsonborn 1972 · 21st century · Canada · Actors54.3M
  11. 11Adolf Hitler1889-1945 · 20th century · Austria · Politicians51M
  12. 12Queen Victoria1819-1901 · 19th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured48.6M
  13. 13Ted Bundy1946-1989 · 20th century · United States · Historical Figures47.4M
  14. 14Ariana Grandeborn 1993 · 21st century · United States · Musicians47M
  15. 15Melania Trumpborn 1970 · 21st century · Slovenia · Models45.3M
  16. 16Keanu Reevesborn 1964 · 20th century · Canada · Actors44.3M
  17. 17Michael Jackson1958-2009 · 20th century · United States · Musicians43.7M
  18. 18Leonardo DiCaprioborn 1974 · 21st century · United States · Actors42.8M
  19. 19Vladimir Putinborn 1952 · 20th century · Russia · Politicians42.4M
  20. 20LeBron Jamesborn 1984 · 21st century · United States · Basketball Players40.6M
  21. 21Eminemborn 1972 · 21st century · United States · Musicians40.5M
  22. 22Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh1921-2021 · 20th century · United Kingdom40.4M
  23. 23Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon1930-2002 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures40M
  24. 24Jason Momoaborn 1979 · 21st century · United States · Actors39.8M
  25. 25O. J. Simpson1947-2024 · 20th century · United States · Athletes39.3M
Show 75 more

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 2010s, ranked where coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Shakiraborn 1977 · Spain · Musicians3 decades
  2. 2Scarlett Johanssonborn 1984 · United States · Actors2 decades
  3. 3Emmanuel Macronborn 1977 · France · Politiciansnot measured-
  4. 4Angelina Jolieborn 1975 · United States · Actors2 decades
  5. 5Katy Perryborn 1984 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  6. 6LeBron Jamesborn 1984 · United States · Basketball Players2 decades
  7. 7Charlize Theronborn 1975 · South Africa · Actors2 decades
  8. 8David Beckhamborn 1975 · United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  9. 9Natalie Portmanborn 1981 · United States · Actors2 decades
  10. 10Kanye Westborn 1977 · United States · Musicians2 decades
  11. 11Beyoncéborn 1981 · United States · Musicians2 decades
  12. 12Chris Prattborn 1979 · United States · Actors0 decades
  13. 13Giorgia Meloniborn 1977 · Italy · Politicians2 decades
  14. 14Bradley Cooperborn 1975 · United States · Actors1 decades
  15. 15Zlatan Ibrahimovićborn 1981 · Sweden · Footballers0 decades
  16. 16Serena Williamsborn 1981 · United States · Tennis Players2 decades
  17. 17Kobe Bryant1978-2020 · United States · Basketball Players2 decades
  18. 18Kim Kardashianborn 1980 · United States · Actors1 decades
  19. 19Mark Zuckerbergborn 1984 · United States · Founders1 decades
  20. 20Ronaldinhoborn 1980 · Brazil · Footballers3 decades
  21. 21Amy Winehouse1983-2011 · United Kingdom · Musicians1 decades
  22. 22John Cenaborn 1977 · United States · Actors1 decades
  23. 23Kate Winsletborn 1975 · United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  24. 24Andrew Garfieldborn 1983 · United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  25. 25Britney Spearsborn 1981 · United States · Musicians2 decades
Show 75 more

How to read these rankings

  • Attention, not reputation. A place on these lists reflects the attention a person still draws in the public record. It is not a judgement on the life.
  • Fame in print. The curves show how often a name appeared in the books of each decade from 1800 to 2019, drawn from the Google Books Ngram corpus.
  • Gaps are left as gaps. Where the record is too thin to be fair, we would rather show nothing than guess.