Claim profile
1900–1999

The 20th century

Whose names filled the books of the 20th century — 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 Spanish books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal6.9
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers6.6
  3. 3Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.4
  4. 4Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers4.5
  5. 5Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians4.2
  6. 6Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures3.5
  7. 7Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians3.5
  8. 8Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.2
  9. 9Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · 20th century · Politicians3.0
  10. 10Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.9
  11. 11JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.4
  12. 12John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.3
  13. 13Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.3
  14. 14Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.2
  15. 15Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians2.2
  16. 16Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado1875–1939 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.1
  17. 17José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.0
  18. 18Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  19. 19Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  20. 20Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  21. 21Eva PerónEva Perón1919–1952 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Actors1.7
  22. 22Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  23. 23Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  24. 24Juan Ramón JiménezJuan Ramón Jiménez1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  25. 25Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.6
  26. 26Gabriela MistralGabriela Mistral1889–1957 · 20th century · Writers1.5
  27. 27Octavio PazOctavio Paz1914–1998 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.5
  28. 28John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.5
  29. 29Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.5
  30. 30Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  31. 31Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.4
  32. 32Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  33. 33Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.3
  34. 34Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  35. 35Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  36. 36Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.3
  37. 37Juan Vicente GómezJuan Vicente Gómez1857–1935 · 19th century · Politicians1.3
  38. 38Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.2
  39. 39Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers1.2
  40. 40Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  41. 41Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.1
  42. 42Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists1.1
  43. 43Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  44. 44Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  45. 45Felipe GonzálezFelipe Gonzálezborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.0
  47. 47José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers1.0
  48. 48Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.0
  49. 49Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.0
  50. 50Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists1.0
  51. 51Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.0
  52. 52Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  53. 53John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.99
  54. 54Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.97
  55. 55Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.94
  56. 56Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.94
  57. 57Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.91
  58. 58Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.90
  59. 59Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.88
  60. 60Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.87
  61. 61Cipriano CastroCipriano Castro1858–1924 · 19th century · Politicians0.84
  62. 62María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.84
  63. 63César VallejoCésar Vallejo1892–1938 · 20th century · Writers0.83
  64. 64Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists0.83
  65. 65Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.81
  66. 66Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.80
  67. 67Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.79
  68. 68Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.79
  69. 69Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.78
  70. 70Diego RiveraDiego Rivera1886–1957 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Designers0.78
  71. 71Carlos FuentesCarlos Fuentes1928–2012 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers0.77
  72. 72JuanesJuanesborn 1972 · 21st century · Musicians0.76
  73. 73Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.76
  74. 74Pedro SánchezPedro Sánchezborn 1972 · 21st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.76
  75. 75Roque Sáenz PeñaRoque Sáenz Peña1851–1914 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.75
  76. 76Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.75
  77. 77LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.74
  78. 78Pío BarojaPío Baroja1872–1956 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.74
  79. 79Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.73
  80. 80Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.73
  81. 81Hipólito YrigoyenHipólito Yrigoyen1850–1933 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.72
  82. 82Che GuevaraChe Guevara1928–1967 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Activists0.72
  83. 83Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.72
  84. 84Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · 19th century · Politicians0.71
  85. 85Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda1750–1816 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.71
  86. 86Ernesto ZedilloErnesto Zedilloborn 1951 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.71
  87. 87José Ortega y GassetJosé Ortega y Gasset1883–1955 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.70
  88. 88Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García Márquez1927–2014 · 20th century · Writers0.69
  89. 89Salvador AllendeSalvador Allende1908–1973 · 20th century · Politicians0.68
  90. 90Francisco de Paula SantanderFrancisco de Paula Santander1792–1840 · 19th century · Politicians0.67
  91. 91Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.67
  92. 92Juan MontalvoJuan Montalvo1832–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.66
  93. 93Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.64
  94. 94Fernando GonzálezFernando Gonzálezborn 1980 · 21st century · Tennis Players0.63
  95. 95Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.63
  96. 96Mario Vargas LlosaMario Vargas Llosa1936–2025 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  97. 97Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.61
  98. 98Juan Bautista AlberdiJuan Bautista Alberdi1810–1884 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.61
  99. 99Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.60
  100. 100Julio CortázarJulio Cortázar1914–1984 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.58

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 20th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇮🇳 India🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇳 China🇨🇦 Canada🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllActorsPoliticiansMusiciansWritersDirectorsHistorical FiguresAcademicsFootballersScientistsArtists
  1. 1Diego MaradonaDiego Maradona1960–2020 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  2. 2PeléPelé1940–2022 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers3 decades
  3. 3José MourinhoJosé Mourinhoborn 1963 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Footballers1 decades
  4. 4Johan CruyffJohan Cruyff1947–2016 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers4 decades
  5. 5Franz BeckenbauerFranz Beckenbauer1945–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers5 decades
  6. 6Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  7. 7Carlo AncelottiCarlo Ancelottiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  8. 8Lev YashinLev Yashin1929–1990 · Footballersnot measured—
  9. 9Alex FergusonAlex Fergusonborn 1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  10. 10Lothar MatthäusLothar Matthäusborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  11. 11Alfredo Di StéfanoAlfredo Di Stéfano1926–2014 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  12. 12Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  13. 13Gerd MüllerGerd Müller1945–2021 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers7 decades
  14. 14Ferenc PuskásFerenc Puskás1927–2006 · Footballers0 decades
  15. 15Jürgen KlinsmannJürgen Klinsmannborn 1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  16. 16Marco van BastenMarco van Bastenborn 1964 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers0 decades
  17. 17EusébioEusébio1942–2014 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Footballersnot measured—
  18. 18George BestGeorge Best1946–2005 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers4 decades
  19. 19GarrinchaGarrincha1933–1983 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers6 decades
  20. 20Mario KempesMario Kempesborn 1954 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers1 decades
  21. 21Ruud GullitRuud Gullitborn 1962 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers0 decades
  22. 22Gary LinekerGary Linekerborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers1 decades
  23. 23Roberto ManciniRoberto Manciniborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  24. 24Franco BaresiFranco Baresi1960–2026 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  25. 25Kevin KeeganKevin Keeganborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  26. 26Joachim LöwJoachim Löwborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers2 decades
  27. 27ZicoZicoborn 1953 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers1 decades
  28. 28Bobby CharltonBobby Charlton1937–2023 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  29. 29Louis van GaalLouis van Gaalborn 1951 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers1 decades
  30. 30Paolo RossiPaolo Rossi1956–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers7 decades
  31. 31Frank RijkaardFrank Rijkaardborn 1962 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers0 decades
  32. 32Vicente del BosqueVicente del Bosqueborn 1950 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballers1 decades
  33. 33BebetoBebetoborn 1964 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers0 decades
  34. 34Karl-Heinz RummeniggeKarl-Heinz Rummeniggeborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  35. 35Kenny DalglishKenny Dalglishborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers1 decades
  36. 36Peter SchmeichelPeter Schmeichelborn 1963 · Footballers0 decades
  37. 37Just FontaineJust Fontaine1933–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  38. 38Ronald KoemanRonald Koemanborn 1963 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers1 decades
  39. 39Claudio RanieriClaudio Ranieriborn 1951 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  40. 40Rafael BenítezRafael Benítezborn 1960 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballers6 decades
  41. 41Salvatore SchillaciSalvatore Schillaci1964–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers0 decades
  42. 42Dino ZoffDino Zoffborn 1942 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  43. 43Mário ZagalloMário Zagallo1931–2024 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers0 decades
  44. 44Fabio CapelloFabio Capelloborn 1946 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  45. 45DungaDungaborn 1963 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers1 decades
  46. 46Rudi VöllerRudi Völlerborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  47. 47Luiz Felipe ScolariLuiz Felipe Scolariborn 1948 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers0 decades
  48. 48Marcello LippiMarcello Lippiborn 1948 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  49. 49Carlos ValderramaCarlos Valderramaborn 1961 · Footballers6 decades
  50. 50Peter ShiltonPeter Shiltonborn 1949 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers0 decades
  51. 51Andrés EscobarAndrés Escobar1967–1994 · Footballersnot measured—
  52. 52Bobby RobsonBobby Robson1933–2009 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers1 decades
  53. 53Mircea LucescuMircea Lucescu1945–2026 · Footballersnot measured—
  54. 54Bobby MooreBobby Moore1941–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  55. 55Hugo SánchezHugo Sánchezborn 1958 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Footballers0 decades
  56. 56David MoyesDavid Moyesborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers0 decades
  57. 57Michael LaudrupMichael Laudrupborn 1964 · Footballers0 decades
  58. 58Daniel PassarellaDaniel Passarellaborn 1953 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers3 decades
  59. 59Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papinborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  60. 60Paul BreitnerPaul Breitnerborn 1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers5 decades
  61. 61Giuseppe MeazzaGiuseppe Meazza1910–1979 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  62. 62Raymond DomenechRaymond Domenechborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballersnot measured—
  63. 63Marcelo BielsaMarcelo Bielsaborn 1955 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers2 decades
  64. 64Harry RedknappHarry Redknappborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballersnot measured—
  65. 65RivellinoRivellinoborn 1946 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers0 decades
  66. 66Sven-Göran ErikssonSven-Göran Eriksson1948–2024 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballers0 decades
  67. 67Giuseppe BergomiGiuseppe Bergomiborn 1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  68. 68Luciano SpallettiLuciano Spallettiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  69. 69Andreas BrehmeAndreas Brehme1960–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers2 decades
  70. 70Gianluca VialliGianluca Vialli1964–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  71. 71Luis de la FuenteLuis de la Fuenteborn 1961 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballersnot measured—
  72. 72Giovanni TrapattoniGiovanni Trapattoniborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  73. 73Oleh BlokhinOleh Blokhinborn 1952 · Footballers0 decades
  74. 74Gianni RiveraGianni Riveraborn 1943 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  75. 75Maurizio SarriMaurizio Sarriborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  76. 76Luis SuárezLuis Suárez1935–2023 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Footballers9 decades
  77. 77Geoff HurstGeoff Hurstborn 1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballersnot measured—
  78. 78Stanley MatthewsStanley Matthews1915–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers10 decades
  79. 79Gigi RivaGigi Riva1944–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  80. 80Ian WrightIan Wrightborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballersnot measured—
  81. 81Raymond KopaRaymond Kopa1931–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  82. 82Paulo Roberto FalcãoPaulo Roberto Falcãoborn 1953 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers1 decades
  83. 83Javier AguirreJavier Aguirreborn 1958 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Footballersnot measured—
  84. 84Jupp HeynckesJupp Heynckesborn 1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  85. 85Gordon BanksGordon Banks1937–2019 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers1 decades
  86. 86Manuel PellegriniManuel Pellegriniborn 1953 · Footballersnot measured—
  87. 87Roger MillaRoger Millaborn 1952 · Footballers4 decades
  88. 88David SeamanDavid Seamanborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers0 decades
  89. 89Jorge ValdanoJorge Valdanoborn 1955 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers3 decades
  90. 90Ian RushIan Rushborn 1961 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers0 decades
  91. 91Enzo FrancescoliEnzo Francescoliborn 1961 · Footballersnot measured—
  92. 92Roy HodgsonRoy Hodgsonborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballersnot measured—
  93. 93Guus HiddinkGuus Hiddinkborn 1946 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers0 decades
  94. 94Pierre LittbarskiPierre Littbarskiborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers1 decades
  95. 95JairzinhoJairzinhoborn 1944 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballersnot measured—
  96. 96Berti VogtsBerti Vogtsborn 1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers3 decades
  97. 97Jorge SampaoliJorge Sampaoliborn 1960 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballersnot measured—
  98. 98Zbigniew BoniekZbigniew Boniekborn 1956 · Footballers0 decades
  99. 99Gaetano ScireaGaetano Scirea1953–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballersnot measured—
  100. 100Brian CloughBrian Clough1935–2004 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballersnot measured—

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.