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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.6
  2. 2Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures2.2
  3. 3Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.8
  4. 4Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  5. 5Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers1.5
  6. 6Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.4
  7. 7Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians1.4
  8. 8Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models1.3
  9. 9Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  10. 10Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  11. 11Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  12. 12Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.99
  13. 13Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.99
  14. 14Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.98
  15. 15Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.97
  16. 16Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.92
  17. 17Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.86
  18. 18Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.86
  19. 19Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.78
  20. 20Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.74
  21. 21Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.72
  22. 22Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.72
  23. 23Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.72
  24. 24Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.70
  25. 25Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.65
  26. 26Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.64
  27. 27Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.63
  28. 28Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.63
  29. 29Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  30. 30Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.59
  31. 31Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.52
  32. 32Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.51
  33. 33Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.51
  34. 34Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.48
  35. 35Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.47
  36. 36Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.45
  37. 37Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.45
  38. 38Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.43
  39. 39Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.43
  40. 40Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.43
  41. 41Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.43
  42. 42Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.43
  43. 43Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.41
  44. 44Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · 20th century · Politicians0.41
  45. 45Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.40
  46. 46Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  47. 47Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.37
  48. 48Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.37
  49. 49Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.37
  50. 50Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.36
  51. 51Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.36
  52. 52Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  53. 53Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.35
  54. 54Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.34
  55. 55Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.31
  56. 56Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.30
  57. 57Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · 20th century · Politicians0.29
  58. 58Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.29
  59. 59Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  60. 60Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.27
  61. 61Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.27
  62. 62Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · 20th century · Politicians0.26
  63. 63Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.25
  64. 64Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.24
  65. 65Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.24
  66. 66Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  67. 67Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.24
  68. 68Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov1882–1949 · 20th century · Politicians0.24
  69. 69Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  70. 70Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.23
  71. 71Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.22
  72. 72Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · 20th century · Politicians0.22
  73. 73Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  74. 74HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  75. 75Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  76. 76Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  77. 77Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.20
  78. 78Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.19
  79. 79Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.19
  80. 80Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.19
  81. 81Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.19
  82. 82Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.18
  83. 83Fyodor VolkovFyodor Volkov1729–1763 · 18th century · Actors0.17
  84. 84Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.17
  85. 85Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.17
  86. 86Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.17
  87. 87Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  88. 88Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  89. 89Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.16
  90. 90Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.16
  91. 91Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.16
  92. 92Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.16
  93. 93Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.15
  94. 94Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.15
  95. 95Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.14
  96. 96Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.14
  97. 97Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.14
  98. 98Alexander BestuzhevAlexander Bestuzhev1797–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.14
  99. 99Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.14
  100. 100Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.14

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. 1Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  2. 2Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  3. 3Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  5. 5Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  6. 6François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  8. 8François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Alain DelonAlain Delon1935–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  10. 10Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  11. 11Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  12. 12Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  14. 14Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  15. 15Coco ChanelCoco Chanel1883–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers6 decades
  16. 16Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  18. 18Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  19. 19Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  21. 21Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  22. 22Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  23. 23Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  24. 24Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Catherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuveborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  26. 26Isabelle AdjaniIsabelle Adjaniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  28. 28Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  29. 29Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  30. 30Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  31. 31Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  32. 32Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  33. 33Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  34. 34Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  35. 35Juliette BinocheJuliette Binocheborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors4 decades
  36. 36Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent1936–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers5 decades
  38. 38Bernard ArnaultBernard Arnaultborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders4 decades
  39. 39Romy SchneiderRomy Schneider1938–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  40. 40Jeanne CalmentJeanne Calment1875–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Christine LagardeChristine Lagardeborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades
  42. 42Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  43. 43Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  44. 44Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg1928–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  47. 47François TruffautFrançois Truffaut1932–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  48. 48Johnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday1943–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  49. 49Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  50. 50Jeanne MoreauJeanne Moreau1928–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  51. 51Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer1875–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors12 decades
  52. 52Isabelle HuppertIsabelle Huppertborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  53. 53Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  54. 54Yves MontandYves Montand1921–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  55. 55Christopher LambertChristopher Lambertborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1 decades
  56. 56Jean-Michel JarreJean-Michel Jarreborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Alain ProstAlain Prostborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Athletes4 decades
  58. 58Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  59. 59Brigitte MacronBrigitte Macronborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  60. 60Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  61. 61Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  62. 62Mireille MathieuMireille Mathieuborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  63. 63ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  65. 65Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  66. 66Just FontaineJust Fontaine1933–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  68. 68Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  69. 69Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  70. 70Dominique de VillepinDominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades
  71. 71Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  72. 72Gilles DeleuzeGilles Deleuze1925–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  73. 73Simone SignoretSimone Signoret1921–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  74. 74Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  75. 75Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  76. 76France GallFrance Gall1947–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  77. 77Kristin Scott ThomasKristin Scott Thomasborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  78. 78Frantz FanonFrantz Fanon1925–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors7 decades
  79. 79André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  80. 80Jean-Bédel BokassaJean-Bédel Bokassa1921–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades
  81. 81Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchonborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1 decades
  82. 82Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  83. 83René GoscinnyRené Goscinny1926–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  84. 84Ségolène RoyalSégolène Royalborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  85. 85Jean MaraisJean Marais1913–1998 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  86. 86Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  87. 87Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  88. 88Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  89. 89Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  90. 90Dominique Strauss-KahnDominique Strauss-Kahnborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4 decades
  91. 91Édouard BalladurÉdouard Balladurborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  93. 93Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papinborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  94. 94Louis MalleLouis Malle1932–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  95. 95Jean-Louis TrintignantJean-Louis Trintignant1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  96. 96Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt1910–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  97. 97Jean BaudrillardJean Baudrillard1929–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  98. 98FernandelFernandel1903–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 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.