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 Hebrew books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century16
  2. 2Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers12
  3. 3HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures12
  4. 4Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures8.2
  5. 5Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics8.1
  6. 6Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC5.5
  7. 7JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers5.5
  8. 8HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures5.3
  9. 9Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers4.8
  10. 10SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.8
  11. 11Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4.4
  12. 12NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century3.8
  13. 13Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.6
  14. 14Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers3.3
  15. 15SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.2
  16. 16Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.2
  17. 17JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.1
  18. 18Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC3.1
  19. 19SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century2.8
  20. 20Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures2.7
  21. 21Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2.7
  22. 22Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2.6
  23. 23YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers2.5
  24. 24Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians2.2
  25. 25Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics2.1
  26. 26Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2.0
  27. 27Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.0
  28. 28Reuven RivlinReuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.8
  29. 29Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century1.7
  30. 30Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians1.7
  31. 31Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics1.6
  32. 32Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.5
  33. 33Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century1.5
  34. 34Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.4
  35. 35Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.4
  36. 36Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century1.4
  37. 37Amos OzAmos Oz1939–2018 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers1.3
  38. 38Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics1.3
  39. 39Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  40. 40Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.1
  41. 41Ehud OlmertEhud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.1
  42. 42Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.1
  43. 43Yitzhak ShamirYitzhak Shamir1915–2012 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.0
  44. 44Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.99
  45. 45Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.94
  46. 46Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.94
  47. 47Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.93
  48. 48MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.91
  49. 49Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.87
  50. 50Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.82
  51. 51JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.78
  52. 52Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.77
  53. 53Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.75
  54. 54Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.75
  55. 55Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.74
  56. 56Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.70
  57. 57JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  58. 58ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.58
  59. 59Ehud BarakEhud Barakborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.58
  60. 60Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.55
  61. 61Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.53
  62. 62HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.53
  63. 63Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.51
  64. 64Chaim HerzogChaim Herzog1918–1997 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.50
  65. 65Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.50
  66. 66Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.49
  67. 67Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.48
  68. 68EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.46
  69. 69Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.44
  70. 70Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.40
  71. 71IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.38
  72. 72Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.38
  73. 73Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.36
  74. 74IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.34
  75. 75Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.34
  76. 76Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.34
  77. 77JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.33
  78. 78Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.32
  79. 79Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.31
  80. 80BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.30
  81. 81MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.28
  82. 82Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.27
  83. 83PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.27
  84. 84JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.25
  85. 85Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.25
  86. 86EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.24
  87. 87JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.24
  88. 88OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.23
  89. 89Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.19
  90. 90Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.18
  91. 91MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.18
  92. 92David GrossmanDavid Grossmanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.18
  93. 93Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.16
  94. 94RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.16
  95. 95JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.16
  96. 96Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.16
  97. 97Tzipi LivniTzipi Livniborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.15
  98. 98Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.15
  99. 99Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.15
  100. 100Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.14

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. 1Michael JacksonMichael Jackson1958–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  2. 2Elvis PresleyElvis Presley1935–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  3. 3Bob DylanBob Dylanborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  4. 4Freddie MercuryFreddie Mercury1946–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  5. 5MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  6. 6Bob MarleyBob Marley1945–1981 · Musicians5 decades
  7. 7John LennonJohn Lennon1940–1980 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  8. 8Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1963–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  9. 9David BowieDavid Bowie1947–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  10. 10Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  11. 11Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneyborn 1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  12. 12Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur1971–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  13. 13Kurt CobainKurt Cobain1967–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  14. 14Vladimir VysotskyVladimir Vysotsky1938–1980 · Musicians5 decades
  15. 15Mother TeresaMother Teresa1910–1997 · Musicians9 decades
  16. 16Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  17. 17Alla PugachevaAlla Pugachevaborn 1949 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Musicians5 decades
  18. 18Valery LeontievValery Leontievborn 1949 · Musicians4 decades
  19. 19Jim MorrisonJim Morrison1943–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  20. 20Ozzy OsbourneOzzy Osbourne1948–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  21. 21Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra1915–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  22. 22CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  23. 23Elton JohnElton Johnborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  24. 24PrincePrince1958–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  25. 25Tina TurnerTina Turner1939–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  26. 26Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix1942–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  27. 27Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  28. 28George HarrisonGeorge Harrison1943–2001 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians8 decades
  29. 29Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  30. 30Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen1934–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians5 decades
  31. 31Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  32. 32George MichaelGeorge Michael1963–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  33. 33Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisandborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  34. 34Ringo StarrRingo Starrborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  35. 35Joan BaezJoan Baezborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  36. 36Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarotti1935–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians5 decades
  37. 37Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong1901–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  38. 38Charles MansonCharles Manson1934–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  39. 39Mick JaggerMick Jaggerborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  40. 40Dmitri ShostakovichDmitri Shostakovich1906–1975 · Musicians8 decades
  41. 41Josephine BakerJosephine Baker1906–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  42. 42StingStingborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians7 decades
  43. 43Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  44. 44Maria CallasMaria Callas1923–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  45. 45Andrea BocelliAndrea Bocelliborn 1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians3 decades
  46. 46Eric ClaptonEric Claptonborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  47. 47Phil CollinsPhil Collinsborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  48. 48Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin1942–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  49. 49Hans ZimmerHans Zimmerborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians3 decades
  50. 50Janis JoplinJanis Joplin1943–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  51. 51Julio IglesiasJulio Iglesiasborn 1943 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Musicians8 decades
  52. 52Frank ZappaFrank Zappa1940–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  53. 53Adriano CelentanoAdriano Celentanoborn 1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  54. 54Viktor TsoiViktor Tsoi1962–1990 · Musicians3 decades
  55. 55Stevie WonderStevie Wonderborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  56. 56EnyaEnyaborn 1961 · Musicians3 decades
  57. 57Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  58. 58Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  59. 59Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  60. 60Brian MayBrian Mayborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  61. 61Paulo CoelhoPaulo Coelhoborn 1947 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Musicians2 decades
  62. 62Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  63. 63SelenaSelena1971–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  65. 65Keith RichardsKeith Richardsborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  66. 66Bryan AdamsBryan Adamsborn 1959 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians3 decades
  67. 67Agnetha FältskogAgnetha Fältskogborn 1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  68. 68James HetfieldJames Hetfieldborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  69. 69Diana RossDiana Rossborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  70. 70Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  71. 71Joe CockerJoe Cocker1944–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  72. 72Alice CooperAlice Cooperborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  73. 73Courtney LoveCourtney Loveborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  74. 74John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  75. 75Sergei RachmaninoffSergei Rachmaninoff1873–1943 · Musicians8 decades
  76. 76Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye1939–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  77. 77Rod StewartRod Stewartborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  78. 78Jon Bon JoviJon Bon Joviborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  79. 79Carlos SantanaCarlos Santanaborn 1947 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Musicians6 decades
  80. 80Neil YoungNeil Youngborn 1945 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians5 decades
  81. 81Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  82. 82David GilmourDavid Gilmourborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  83. 83Dean MartinDean Martin1917–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  84. 84Jimmy PageJimmy Pageborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  85. 85Kate BushKate Bushborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  86. 86Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John1948–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  87. 87Patti SmithPatti Smithborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  88. 88Lenny KravitzLenny Kravitzborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  89. 89Roger WatersRoger Watersborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  90. 90"Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovicborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Bing CrosbyBing Crosby1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  92. 92BonoBonoborn 1960 · Musiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Iggy PopIggy Popborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  94. 94Donna SummerDonna Summer1948–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  95. 95Bonnie TylerBonnie Tyler1951–2026 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians0 decades
  96. 96Syd BarrettSyd Barrett1946–2006 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians2 decades
  97. 97DalidaDalida1933–1987 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Musicians8 decades
  98. 98Billie HolidayBillie Holiday1915–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  99. 99Quincy JonesQuincy Jones1933–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  100. 100Robert PlantRobert Plantborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 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.