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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians275
  2. 2Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers60
  3. 3Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians58
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians55
  5. 5Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians40
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians34
  7. 7Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians31
  8. 8Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  9. 9ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics12
  10. 10Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors10
  11. 11Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.6
  12. 12Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers5.9
  13. 13Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.4
  14. 14Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians5.2
  15. 15Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.0
  16. 16LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.7
  17. 17Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers4.6
  18. 18Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.4
  19. 19GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers3.4
  20. 20Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics2.8
  21. 21Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers2.3
  22. 22Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.3
  23. 23Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.0
  24. 24WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists1.9
  25. 25Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  26. 26Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.6
  27. 27Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.4
  28. 28Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.4
  29. 29Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.3
  30. 30Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians1.3
  31. 31Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.2
  32. 32Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.2
  33. 33Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.2
  34. 34Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  35. 35Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  36. 36Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  37. 37Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  38. 38Wu QiWu Qi440 BC–381 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.0
  39. 39Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers1.0
  40. 40Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  41. 41LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.0
  42. 42Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.96
  43. 43Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.93
  44. 44MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.86
  45. 45Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.83
  46. 46Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  47. 47Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.73
  48. 48Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.69
  49. 49Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.66
  50. 50Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.64
  51. 51Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.59
  52. 52Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.58
  53. 53Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.57
  54. 54Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.56
  55. 55CSChen Shou233–297 · 3rd century · Writers0.52
  56. 56Zhang YimouZhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors0.50
  57. 57Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.49
  58. 58Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.49
  59. 59Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.49
  60. 60Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.45
  61. 61Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.43
  62. 62Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.42
  63. 63Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.41
  64. 64Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.41
  65. 65KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.39
  66. 66Zhu RongjiZhu Rongjiborn 1928 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.39
  67. 67Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.38
  68. 68Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  69. 69Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.37
  70. 70Shi KefaShi Kefa1601–1645 · 17th century · Politicians0.37
  71. 71Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.34
  72. 72DXDeng Xi545 BC–501 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.31
  73. 73Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.30
  74. 74Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.28
  75. 75Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.28
  76. 76ShitaoShitao1642–1707 · 17th century · Artists0.28
  77. 77Liu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo1955–2017 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.27
  78. 78Bada ShanrenBada Shanren1626–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.27
  79. 79Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.27
  80. 80Pu SonglingPu Songling1640–1715 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.25
  81. 81Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.24
  82. 82Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.23
  83. 83Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.23
  84. 84Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  85. 85He ZhizhangHe Zhizhang659–744 · 7th century · Writers0.22
  86. 86Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  87. 87Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.21
  88. 88Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.21
  89. 89Hui ShiHui Shi370 BC–310 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.20
  90. 90Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.19
  91. 91Yu QianYu Qian1398–1457 · 15th century · Writers0.19
  92. 92Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.18
  93. 93Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.18
  94. 94Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.18
  95. 95Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.16
  96. 96Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.16
  97. 97Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.15
  98. 98Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.15
  99. 99Liu YuxiLiu Yuxi772–842 · 9th century · Writers0.14
  100. 100Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.14

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. 4MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  5. 5Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1963–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  6. 6Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur1971–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  7. 7Kurt CobainKurt Cobain1967–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  8. 8Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  9. 9Jim MorrisonJim Morrison1943–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  10. 10Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra1915–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  11. 11CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  12. 12PrincePrince1958–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  13. 13Tina TurnerTina Turner1939–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix1942–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  15. 15Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  16. 16Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  17. 17Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisandborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  18. 18Joan BaezJoan Baezborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  19. 19Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong1901–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  20. 20Charles MansonCharles Manson1934–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  21. 21Josephine BakerJosephine Baker1906–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  22. 22Maria CallasMaria Callas1923–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  23. 23Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin1942–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  24. 24Janis JoplinJanis Joplin1943–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  25. 25Frank ZappaFrank Zappa1940–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  26. 26Stevie WonderStevie Wonderborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  27. 27Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  28. 28Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  29. 29SelenaSelena1971–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  30. 30James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  31. 31James HetfieldJames Hetfieldborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  32. 32Diana RossDiana Rossborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  33. 33Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  34. 34Alice CooperAlice Cooperborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  35. 35Courtney LoveCourtney Loveborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  36. 36John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  37. 37Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye1939–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  38. 38Jon Bon JoviJon Bon Joviborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  39. 39Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  40. 40Dean MartinDean Martin1917–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  41. 41Patti SmithPatti Smithborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  42. 42Lenny KravitzLenny Kravitzborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  43. 43"Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovicborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Bing CrosbyBing Crosby1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  45. 45Iggy PopIggy Popborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  46. 46Donna SummerDonna Summer1948–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  47. 47Billie HolidayBillie Holiday1915–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  48. 48Quincy JonesQuincy Jones1933–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  49. 49Cyndi LauperCyndi Lauperborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  50. 50The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.1972–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  51. 51Lou ReedLou Reed1942–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  52. 52Paul SimonPaul Simonborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  53. 53Ronnie James DioRonnie James Dio1942–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  54. 54Buddy HollyBuddy Holly1936–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  55. 55Axl RoseAxl Roseborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  56. 56Billy JoelBilly Joelborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Lionel RichieLionel Richieborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  58. 58Chris CornellChris Cornell1964–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  59. 59Willie NelsonWillie Nelsonborn 1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  60. 60Steven TylerSteven Tylerborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  61. 61Kris KristoffersonKris Kristofferson1936–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  62. 62Kenny RogersKenny Rogers1938–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  63. 63Bette MidlerBette Midlerborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  64. 64Tom WaitsTom Waitsborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  65. 65Roy OrbisonRoy Orbison1936–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  66. 66Brian WilsonBrian Wilson1942–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  67. 67Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein1918–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  68. 68Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald1917–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  69. 69John DenverJohn Denver1943–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  70. 70Stevie NicksStevie Nicksborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  71. 71Neil DiamondNeil Diamondborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  72. 72Eddie Van HalenEddie Van Halen1955–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  73. 73Tracy ChapmanTracy Chapmanborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  74. 74Linda RonstadtLinda Ronstadtborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  75. 75Hank WilliamsHank Williams1923–1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  76. 76Anthony KiedisAnthony Kiedisborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  77. 77Reba McEntireReba McEntireborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  78. 78John ColtraneJohn Coltrane1926–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  79. 79Tony BennettTony Bennett1926–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  80. 80Meat LoafMeat Loaf1947–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  81. 81Little RichardLittle Richard1932–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  82. 82Pete SeegerPete Seeger1919–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  83. 83B.B. KingB.B. King1925–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  84. 84George GershwinGeorge Gershwin1898–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  85. 85Harry BelafonteHarry Belafonte1927–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  86. 86Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis1935–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  87. 87Dave MustaineDave Mustaineborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  88. 88Nat King ColeNat King Cole1919–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  89. 89Danny ElfmanDanny Elfmanborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  90. 90Paula AbdulPaula Abdulborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  91. 91Sheryl CrowSheryl Crowborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  92. 92CoolioCoolio1963–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  93. 93Woody GuthrieWoody Guthrie1912–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  94. 94Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray Vaughan1954–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  95. 95Eddie VedderEddie Vedderborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  96. 96Paul AnkaPaul Ankaborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  97. 97Debbie HarryDebbie Harryborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  98. 98Carole KingCarole Kingborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  99. 99Eazy-EEazy-E1964–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  100. 100Israel KamakawiwoʻoleIsrael Kamakawiwoʻole1959–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot 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.