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 Chinese books during the 2010s, whenever they lived.

  1. 1Mao Zedong1893-1976 · 20th century · China · Politicians103
  2. 2Deng Xiaoping1904-1997 · 20th century · China · Politicians35
  3. 3Lu Xun1881-1936 · 20th century · China · Writers27
  4. 4Confucius551 BC-479 BC · 1st millennium BC · China · Academics26
  5. 5Hu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · China · Politicians25
  6. 6Xi Jinpingborn 1953 · 20th century · China · Politicians24
  7. 7Chen Shui-bianborn 1950 · 20th century · Taiwan · Politicians21
  8. 8Zhou Enlai1898-1976 · 20th century · China · Politicians20
  9. 9Sun Yat-sen1866-1925 · 20th century · China · Politicians20
  10. 10Laozi579 BC-500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics17
  11. 11Lee Kuan Yew1923-2015 · 20th century · Singapore · Politicians17
  12. 12Lee Teng-hui1923-2020 · 20th century · Taiwan · Politicians17
  13. 13Ma Ying-jeouborn 1950 · 20th century · Taiwan · Politicians16
  14. 14Liu Shaoqi1898-1969 · 20th century · China · Politicians13
  15. 15Wen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · China · Politicians10
  16. 16Jiang Zemin1926-2022 · 20th century · China · Politicians7.0
  17. 17Lin Biao1907-1971 · 20th century · China · Politicians5.9
  18. 18Yuan Shikai1859-1916 · 19th century · China · Politicians5.8
  19. 19Kang Youwei1858-1927 · 19th century · China · Politicians5.5
  20. 20Zhuang Zhou369 BC-288 BC · 1st millennium BC · China · Academics5.3
  21. 21Li Keqiang1955-2023 · 20th century · China · Politicians5.1
  22. 22Chiang Ching-kuo1910-1988 · 20th century · China · Politicians4.9
  23. 23Gao Ming1305-1370 · 14th century · Writers4.8
  24. 24Zhu De1886-1976 · 20th century · China · Politicians4.5
  25. 25Zhao Ziyang1919-2005 · 20th century · China · Politicians4.4
  26. 26Jiang Qing1914-1991 · 20th century · China · Actors3.8
  27. 27Yan Fu1854-1921 · 19th century · Writers3.7
  28. 28Tsai Ing-wenborn 1956 · 20th century · Taiwan · Politicians3.6
  29. 29Jack Maborn 1964 · 20th century · China · Founders2.4
  30. 30Sima Qian145 BC-86 BC · 1st millennium BC · China · Writers2.2
  31. 31Zhu Xi1130-1200 · 12th century · China · Writers1.9
  32. 32Mozi470 BC-391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  33. 33Chen-ning Yang1922-2025 · 20th century · China · Scientists1.9
  34. 34Koxinga1624-1662 · 17th century · Japan · Politicians1.7
  35. 35Qu Yuan343 BC-278 BC · 1st millennium BC · China · Writers1.6
  36. 36Dong Zhongshu179 BC-104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.6
  37. 37Xun Kuang313 BC-230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.6
  38. 38Hai Rui1514-1587 · 16th century1.6
  39. 39Li Bai701-762 · 8th century · Writers1.5
  40. 40Hong Xiuquan1814-1864 · 19th century · China · Politicians1.4
  41. 41Zhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · China · Directors1.4
  42. 42Bruce Lee1940-1973 · 20th century · United States · Actors1.4
  43. 43Soong Ching-ling1893-1981 · 20th century · China · Politicians1.3
  44. 44Li Hongzhang1823-1901 · 19th century · China · Politicians1.3
  45. 45Zhuge Liang181-234 · 3rd century · China · Politicians1.3
  46. 46Wang Yiborn 1953 · 20th century · China · Politicians1.3
  47. 47Wang Anshi1021-1086 · 11th century · China · Politicians1.3
  48. 48Cao Xueqin1724-1760 · 18th century · China · Writers1.3
  49. 49Li Peng1928-2019 · 20th century · China · Politicians1.3
  50. 50Tao Yuanming365-427 · 5th century · China · Writers1.3
  51. 51Cao Cao155-220 · 2nd century · China · Politicians1.2
  52. 52Han Yu768-824 · 9th century · China · Writers1.2
  53. 53Mo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · China · Writers1.1
  54. 54Su Shi1037-1101 · 11th century · China · Writers0.98
  55. 55Gu Yanwu1613-1682 · 17th century · Writers0.96
  56. 56Emperor Wu of Han156 BC-87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.95
  57. 57Ouyang Xiu1007-1072 · 11th century · China · Writers0.95
  58. 58Zheng He1371-1433 · 15th century · China · Historical Figures0.94
  59. 59Zhu Rongji1928-2026 · 20th century · China · Politicians0.92
  60. 60Liu Zongyuan773-819 · 9th century · Writers0.89
  61. 61Wang Xizhi321-361 · 4th century · China · Artists0.88
  62. 62Huang Zongxi1610-1695 · 17th century · Academics0.88
  63. 63Zeng Guofan1811-1872 · 19th century · China · Politicians0.83
  64. 64Jia Yi200 BC-168 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.83
  65. 65Pu Songling1640-1715 · 17th century · China · Writers0.83
  66. 66Li Si280 BC-208 BC · 1st millennium BC · China · Politicians0.81
  67. 67Wang Fuzhi1619-1692 · 17th century · China · Writers0.80
  68. 68Hua Guofeng1921-2008 · 20th century · China · Politicians0.80
  69. 69Liu Bei161-223 · 2nd century0.79
  70. 70Gui Youguang1506-1571 · 16th century · Politicians0.78
  71. 71Wang Yangming1472-1529 · 16th century · China · Academics0.76
  72. 72Wu Zetian624-705 · 7th century · China · Writers0.72
  73. 73Hongwu Emperor1328-1398 · 14th century · China · Historical Figures0.71
  74. 74Liu Xiangborn 1983 · 21st century · China · Athletes0.70
  75. 75Emperor Taizong of Tang598-649 · 7th century · China · Historical Figures0.66
  76. 76Ma Huatengborn 1971 · 21st century · China · Founders0.66
  77. 77Zhang Zhidong1837-1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.65
  78. 78Li Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · China · Politicians0.65
  79. 79Li Zicheng1606-1645 · 17th century · China · Politicians0.64
  80. 80Kim Il-sung1912-1994 · 20th century · North Korea · Politicians0.58
  81. 81Du Fu712-770 · 8th century · China · Writers0.57
  82. 82Wen Tianxiang1236-1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.57
  83. 83Lin Tse-hsu1785-1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.57
  84. 84Lin Yutang1895-1976 · 20th century · China · Writers0.55
  85. 85Xu Xiake1587-1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.54
  86. 86Teresa Teng1953-1995 · 20th century · Taiwan · Musicians0.51
  87. 87Li Naborn 1982 · 21st century · China · Tennis Players0.51
  88. 88Liu Xiaobo1955-2017 · 20th century · China · Writers0.50
  89. 89Zengzi504 BC-435 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.49
  90. 90Tan Sitong1865-1898 · 19th century · China · Academics0.48
  91. 91Zuo Zongtang1812-1885 · 19th century · China · Politicians0.47
  92. 92Xuanzang602-664 · 7th century · China · Academics0.46
  93. 93Guan Zhong720 BC-645 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.44
  94. 94Liu Jiang25-58 · 1st century0.42
  95. 95Gao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · China · Writers0.39
  96. 96Yao Mingborn 1980 · 21st century · China · Basketball Players0.38
  97. 97Wen Tong1018-1079 · 11th century · Artists0.37
  98. 98Chiang Kai-shek1887-1975 · 20th century · Taiwan · Politicians0.37
  99. 99Xu Guangqi1562-1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.36
  100. 100Puyi1906-1967 · 20th century · China · Historical Figures0.33

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.