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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures30
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.1
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.1
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers7.1
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.9
  6. 6SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4.5
  7. 7RMRMborn 1994 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians4.5
  8. 8Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.4
  9. 9CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.0
  10. 10George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.8
  11. 11SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.4
  12. 12VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.3
  13. 13Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.0
  14. 14WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists2.0
  15. 15EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  16. 16PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.6
  17. 17AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC1.6
  18. 18Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  19. 19IUIUborn 1993 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians1.6
  20. 20OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  21. 21MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.5
  22. 22Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  23. 23Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  24. 24Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.5
  25. 25Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  26. 26PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.5
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.4
  28. 28Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  29. 29Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  30. 30William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.3
  31. 31Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  32. 32HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.3
  33. 33CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.3
  34. 34RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  35. 35EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  36. 36PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.1
  37. 37John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.1
  38. 38John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.0
  39. 39Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.0
  40. 40Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.0
  41. 41HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.0
  42. 42Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.0
  43. 43HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  44. 44Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  45. 45Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.0
  46. 46John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  47. 47SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.0
  48. 48Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.99
  49. 49GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.97
  50. 50Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.95
  51. 51LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.95
  52. 52BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.94
  53. 53John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.93
  54. 54SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.93
  55. 55Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.90
  56. 56PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.89
  57. 57John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.87
  58. 58Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.86
  59. 59Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.86
  60. 60William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.86
  61. 61HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.83
  62. 62Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.83
  63. 63ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.83
  64. 64Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.81
  65. 65AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79
  66. 66Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.79
  67. 67Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.79
  68. 68Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.79
  69. 69CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.79
  70. 70Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.79
  71. 71AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century0.78
  72. 72OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.76
  73. 73George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.75
  74. 74DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.75
  75. 75John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.75
  76. 76Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.75
  77. 77XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  78. 78Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.72
  79. 79HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.72
  80. 80Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.72
  81. 81William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.71
  82. 82Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.71
  83. 83Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.70
  84. 84Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.70
  85. 85Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.70
  86. 86Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.70
  87. 87Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.70
  88. 88Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.70
  89. 89Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.70
  90. 90HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.70
  91. 91Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.70
  92. 92Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.70
  93. 93Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.70
  94. 94Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.70
  95. 95Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France0.69
  96. 96John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  97. 97Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  98. 98Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  99. 99James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.67
  100. 100OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67

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. 1Donald TrumpDonald Trumpborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  2. 2Michael JacksonMichael Jackson1958–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  3. 3Elvis PresleyElvis Presley1935–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  4. 4Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe1926–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  5. 5Bob DylanBob Dylanborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  6. 6John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  7. 7Barack ObamaBarack Obamaborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  8. 8Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIVborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Religious Figures0 decades
  9. 9MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  10. 10Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.1929–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  11. 11Robin WilliamsRobin Williams1951–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  12. 12Steve JobsSteve Jobs1955–2011 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4 decades
  13. 13Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt1882–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  14. 14Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  15. 15Brad PittBrad Pittborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  16. 16Joe BidenJoe Bidenborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  17. 17Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  18. 18George W. BushGeorge W. Bushborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  19. 19Clint EastwoodClint Eastwoodborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Robert De NiroRobert De Niroborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  21. 21Bruce LeeBruce Lee1940–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  22. 22Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan1911–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  23. 23Bill GatesBill Gatesborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4 decades
  24. 24Johnny DeppJohnny Deppborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  25. 25Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1963–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  26. 26J. Robert OppenheimerJ. Robert Oppenheimer1904–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists8 decades
  27. 27Bill ClintonBill Clintonborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  28. 28Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali1942–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes8 decades
  29. 29Tom CruiseTom Cruiseborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  30. 30Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong1930–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  31. 31Tom HanksTom Hanksborn 1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  32. 32Stephen KingStephen Kingborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  33. 33Meryl StreepMeryl Streepborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  34. 34Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter1924–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  35. 35George ClooneyGeorge Clooneyborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  36. 36Sylvester StalloneSylvester Stalloneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  37. 37Al PacinoAl Pacinoborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  38. 38Jim CarreyJim Carreyborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  39. 39Marlon BrandoMarlon Brando1924–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  40. 40Bruce WillisBruce Willisborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  41. 41Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantinoborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  42. 42Judy GarlandJudy Garland1922–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  43. 43Sandra BullockSandra Bullockborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  44. 44Michael JordanMichael Jordanborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Basketball Players4 decades
  45. 45Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway1899–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  46. 46Woody AllenWoody Allenborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  47. 47Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur1971–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  48. 48Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  49. 49Jack NicholsonJack Nicholsonborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  50. 50Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  51. 51Kurt CobainKurt Cobain1967–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  52. 52Nicolas CageNicolas Cageborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  53. 53Morgan FreemanMorgan Freemanborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  54. 54George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. Bush1924–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  55. 55Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower1890–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  56. 56Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  57. 57Jeff BezosJeff Bezosborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders2 decades
  58. 58Harrison FordHarrison Fordborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  59. 59Mel GibsonMel Gibsonborn 1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  60. 60Jodie FosterJodie Fosterborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  61. 61Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  62. 62Chuck NorrisChuck Norris1940–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  63. 63Andy WarholAndy Warhol1928–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  64. 64Warren BuffettWarren Buffettborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  65. 65Jim MorrisonJim Morrison1943–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  66. 66John TravoltaJohn Travoltaborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  67. 67Anthony HopkinsAnthony Hopkinsborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  68. 68Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra1915–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  69. 69Kevin CostnerKevin Costnerborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  70. 70Rosa ParksRosa Parks1913–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  71. 71Malcolm XMalcolm X1925–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  72. 72David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  73. 73Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washingtonborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  74. 74CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Demi MooreDemi Mooreborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  76. 76Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman1884–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  77. 77Sigourney WeaverSigourney Weaverborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  78. 78PrincePrince1958–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  79. 79John WayneJohn Wayne1907–1979 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  80. 80Tina TurnerTina Turner1939–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  81. 81Noam ChomskyNoam Chomskyborn 1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  82. 82Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix1942–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  83. 83Grace KellyGrace Kelly1929–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  84. 84Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  85. 85Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  86. 86Jane FondaJane Fondaborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  87. 87Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  88. 88Robert RedfordRobert Redford1936–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  89. 89Diane KeatonDiane Keaton1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  90. 90Martin ScorseseMartin Scorseseborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  91. 91Kamala HarrisKamala Harrisborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades
  92. 92Katharine HepburnKatharine Hepburn1907–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  93. 93Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy Onassis1929–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists4 decades
  94. 94Hillary ClintonHillary Clintonborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  95. 95Dustin HoffmanDustin Hoffmanborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  96. 96Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisandborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  97. 97Paul NewmanPaul Newman1925–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  98. 98Steven SeagalSteven Seagalborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  99. 99Al CaponeAl Capone1899–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States9 decades
  100. 100Sean PennSean Pennborn 1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 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.