215,950 profiles ranked

← Fame through time2000-2099

The 21st century

Whose names filled the books of the 21st 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 German books during the 21st century, whenever they lived.

  1. 1Thomas Mann1875-1955 · 20th century · United States · Writers8.5
  2. 2Max Weber1864-1920 · 19th century · Germany · Academics4.4
  3. 3Novalis1772-1801 · 19th century · Germany · Writers3.9
  4. 4Karl Marx1818-1883 · 19th century · Germany · Academics3.2
  5. 5Jean Paul1763-1825 · 18th century · Germany · Writers2.9
  6. 6Martin Luther1483-1546 · 16th century · Germany · Religious Figures2.7
  7. 7Adolf Hitler1889-1945 · 20th century · Austria · Politicians2.6
  8. 8Richard Wagner1813-1883 · 19th century · Germany · Musicians2.1
  9. 9Sigmund Freud1856-1939 · 19th century · Austria · Doctors2.0
  10. 10Heinrich Heine1797-1856 · 19th century · France · Writers1.9
  11. 11Willy Brandt1913-1992 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.9
  12. 12Walter Benjamin1892-1940 · 20th century · Academics1.9
  13. 13Paracelsus1493-1541 · 16th century · Switzerland · Doctors1.9
  14. 14Friedrich Nietzsche1844-1900 · 19th century · Germany · Academics1.9
  15. 15Helmut Kohl1930-2017 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.8
  16. 16Gerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.8
  17. 17Hannah Arendt1906-1975 · 20th century · United States · Academics1.7
  18. 18Immanuel Kant1724-1804 · 18th century · Academics1.7
  19. 19Jürgen Habermas1929-2026 · 20th century · Germany · Academics1.7
  20. 20Maria Theresa1717-1780 · 18th century · Austria · Historical Figures1.6
  21. 21Heinrich Mann1871-1950 · 20th century · Germany · Writers1.6
  22. 22Carl Schmitt1888-1985 · 20th century · Germany · Academics1.5
  23. 23Bertolt Brecht1898-1956 · 20th century · Austria · Writers1.5
  24. 24Angela Merkelborn 1954 · 20th century · Germany · Politicians1.5
  25. 25Franz Kafka1883-1924 · 20th century · Czechia · Writers1.4
Show 75 more

Most read

Who people actually looked up in the 21st century, across every language edition we measure (2015-2026 only - readership is measured from July 2015).

  1. 1Donald Trumpborn 1946 · 20th century · United States · Politicians336.3M
  2. 2Elizabeth II1926-2022 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures223.3M
  3. 3Cristiano Ronaldoborn 1985 · 21st century · Portugal · Footballers211.6M
  4. 4Elon Muskborn 1971 · 21st century · South Africa · Founders207.7M
  5. 5Lionel Messiborn 1987 · 21st century · Argentina · Footballers178.6M
  6. 6Vladimir Putinborn 1952 · 20th century · Russia · Politicians136.2M
  7. 7Joe Bidenborn 1942 · 20th century · United States · Politicians124M
  8. 8Freddie Mercury1946-1991 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Musicians122.9M
  9. 9Jeffrey Dahmer1960-1994 · 20th century · United States · Historical Figures120.3M
  10. 10Adolf Hitler1889-1945 · 20th century · Austria · Politicians118.7M
  11. 11Taylor Swiftborn 1989 · 21st century · United States · Musicians117.8M
  12. 12Barack Obamaborn 1961 · 20th century · United States · Politicians115.9M
  13. 13Michael Jackson1958-2009 · 20th century · United States · Musicians114.4M
  14. 14Pablo Escobar1949-1993 · 20th century · Colombia · Politicians114.4M
  15. 15Kamala Harrisborn 1964 · 20th century · United States · Politicians113.6M
  16. 16Dwayne Johnsonborn 1972 · 21st century · Canada · Actors111M
  17. 17Queen Victoria1819-1901 · 19th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured105.6M
  18. 18Keanu Reevesborn 1964 · 20th century · Canada · Actors103.4M
  19. 19Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh1921-2021 · 20th century · United Kingdom102.1M
  20. 20Elvis Presley1935-1977 · 20th century · United States · Musicians99.6M
  21. 21Tom Cruiseborn 1962 · 20th century · United States · Actors99.4M
  22. 22LeBron Jamesborn 1984 · 21st century · United States · Basketball Players99.2M
  23. 23Jeffrey Epstein1953-2019 · 20th century · United States98.7M
  24. 24Michael Jordanborn 1963 · 20th century · United States · Basketball Players98.4M
  25. 25Ariana Grandeborn 1993 · 21st century · United States · Musicians98M
  26. 26Leonardo DiCaprioborn 1974 · 21st century · United States · Actors94.8M
  27. 27Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon1930-2002 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures93.1M
  28. 28Scarlett Johanssonborn 1984 · 21st century · United States · Actors91.8M
  29. 29Johnny Deppborn 1963 · 20th century · United States · Actors91.3M
  30. 30George VI1895-1952 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures90.5M
  31. 31Stephen Hawking1942-2018 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Scientists89.9M
  32. 32Diana, Princess of Wales1961-1997 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures89.7M
  33. 33Ted Bundy1946-1989 · 20th century · United States · Historical Figures88.3M
  34. 34Tom Bradyborn 1977 · 21st century · United States · Athletes87.9M
  35. 35Eminemborn 1972 · 21st century · United States · Musicians86.9M
  36. 36Arnold Schwarzeneggerborn 1947 · 20th century · Austria · Actors86.9M
  37. 37Kobe Bryant1978-2020 · 21st century · United States · Basketball Players86.4M
  38. 38Kylian Mbappéborn 1998 · 21st century · France · Footballers85.4M
  39. 39Ryan Reynoldsborn 1976 · 21st century · Canada · Actors84.7M
  40. 40John F. Kennedy1917-1963 · 20th century · United States · Politicians83.8M
  41. 41Lady Gagaborn 1986 · 21st century · United States · Musicians83.7M
  42. 42Melania Trumpborn 1970 · 21st century · Slovenia · Models83.2M
  43. 43Albert Einstein1879-1955 · 20th century · Switzerland · Scientists83.2M
  44. 44XXXTentacion1998-2018 · 21st century · United States · Musicians82.8M
  45. 45Zendayaborn 1996 · 21st century · United States · Actors82.7M
  46. 46Clint Eastwoodborn 1930 · 20th century · United States · Actors81.1M
  47. 47Billie Eilishborn 2001 · 21st century · United States · Musicians80.3M
  48. 48Jeff Bezosborn 1964 · 20th century · United States · Founders79.7M
  49. 49Jason Momoaborn 1979 · 21st century · United States · Actors79.2M
  50. 50Winston Churchill1874-1965 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Politicians79.1M
  51. 51Jennifer Anistonborn 1969 · 21st century · United States · Actors79M
  52. 52Sylvester Stalloneborn 1946 · 20th century · United States · Actors78.9M
  53. 53Joseph Stalin1878-1953 · 20th century · Russia · Politicians78.7M
  54. 54Muhammad Ali1942-2016 · 20th century · United States · Athletes78.1M
  55. 55Kim Kardashianborn 1980 · 21st century · United States · Actors77.1M
  56. 56Steve Jobs1955-2011 · 20th century · United States · Founders76.7M
  57. 57Kanye Westborn 1977 · 21st century · United States · Musicians75.9M
  58. 58Cleopatra69 BC-30 BC · 1st millennium BC · Egypt · Historical Figures75.7M
  59. 59O. J. Simpson1947-2024 · 20th century · United States · Athletes75.5M
  60. 60Marilyn Monroe1926-1962 · 20th century · United States · Actors75.4M
  61. 61Mahatma Gandhi1869-1948 · 20th century · India · Activists75.2M
  62. 62David Bowie1947-2016 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Musicians74.8M
  63. 63Brad Pittborn 1963 · 20th century · United States · Actors73.7M
  64. 64Tupac Shakur1971-1996 · 20th century · United States · Musicians73.3M
  65. 65Napoleon1769-1821 · 19th century · France · Historical Figures73.3M
  66. 66Conor McGregorborn 1988 · 21st century · Ireland · Athletes73.3M
  67. 67Angelina Jolieborn 1975 · 21st century · United States · Actors72.8M
  68. 68Jennifer Lopezborn 1969 · 21st century · United States · Musicians72M
  69. 69Jimmy Carter1924-2024 · 20th century · United States · Politicians71.9M
  70. 70Margot Robbieborn 1990 · 21st century · Australia · Actors71.6M
  71. 71Edward VIII1894-1972 · 20th century · United Kingdom · Historical Figures71.5M
  72. 72Abraham Lincoln1809-1865 · 19th century · United States · Politicians70.4M
  73. 73Charles Manson1934-2017 · 20th century · United States70M
  74. 74Justin Bieberborn 1994 · 21st century · Canada · Musicians69.7M
  75. 75Dua Lipaborn 1995 · 21st century · United Kingdom · Musicians69.6M
  76. 76Amber Heardborn 1986 · 21st century · United States · Actors69.5M
  77. 77Ronald Reagan1911-2004 · 20th century · United States · Politicians69.4M
  78. 78Novak Djokovicborn 1987 · 21st century · Serbia · Tennis Players69.3M
  79. 79Millie Bobby Brownborn 2004 · 21st century · United Kingdom · Actors69.2M
  80. 80Charles IIIborn 1948 · 20th century · United Kingdomnot measured68.8M
  81. 81Jennifer Lawrenceborn 1990 · 21st century · United States · Actors68.7M
  82. 82Blake Livelyborn 1987 · 21st century · United States · Actors68.6M
  83. 83Mia Khalifaborn 1993 · 21st century · United States · Actorsnot measured68.6M
  84. 84Shakiraborn 1977 · 21st century · Spain · Musicians68M
  85. 85Heath Ledger1979-2008 · 21st century · Australia · Actors67.9M
  86. 86Timothée Chalametborn 1995 · 21st century · France · Actors67.4M
  87. 87Selena Gomezborn 1992 · 21st century · United States · Musicians67.4M
  88. 88Robin Williams1951-2014 · 20th century · United States · Actors67.3M
  89. 89Rihannaborn 1988 · 21st century · Barbados · Musicians66.8M
  90. 90Mike Tysonborn 1966 · 21st century · United States · Athletes66.8M
  91. 91Tom Hardyborn 1977 · 21st century · United Kingdom · Actors66.5M
  92. 92J. Robert Oppenheimer1904-1967 · 20th century · United States · Scientists66.4M
  93. 93John Cenaborn 1977 · 21st century · United States · Actors65.9M
  94. 94Xi Jinpingborn 1953 · 20th century · China · Politicians65.7M
  95. 95Rafael Nadalborn 1986 · 21st century · Spain · Tennis Players65.7M
  96. 96Tom Hanksborn 1956 · 20th century · United States · Actors65.5M
  97. 97Dolly Parton1946-2026 · 20th century · United States · Musicians64.7M
  98. 98Ryan Goslingborn 1980 · 21st century · Canada · Actors64.6M
  99. 99Beyoncéborn 1981 · 21st century · United States · Musicians64.5M
  100. 100Pope Francis1936-2025 · 20th century · Argentina · Religious Figuresnot measured64.4M

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 21st century, ranked where coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Lionel Messiborn 1987 · Argentina · Footballers1 decades
  2. 2Elon Muskborn 1971 · South Africa · Founders1 decades
  3. 3Cristiano Ronaldoborn 1985 · Portugal · Footballers2 decades
  4. 4Taylor Swiftborn 1989 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  5. 5Shakiraborn 1977 · Spain · Musicians3 decades
  6. 6Lady Gagaborn 1986 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  7. 7Scarlett Johanssonborn 1984 · United States · Actors2 decades
  8. 8Ariana Grandeborn 1993 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  9. 9Kylian Mbappéborn 1998 · France · Footballers1 decades
  10. 10Leonardo DiCaprioborn 1974 · United States · Actors3 decades
  11. 11Novak Djokovicborn 1987 · Serbia · Tennis Players1 decades
  12. 12Neymarborn 1992 · Brazil · Footballers1 decades
  13. 13Justin Trudeauborn 1971 · Canada · Politicians1 decades
  14. 14Melania Trumpborn 1970 · Slovenia · Models1 decades
  15. 15Tom Hollandborn 1996 · United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured-
  16. 16Emmanuel Macronborn 1977 · France · Politiciansnot measured-
  17. 17Angelina Jolieborn 1975 · United States · Actors2 decades
  18. 18Nicole Kidmanborn 1967 · Australia · Actors3 decades
  19. 19Katy Perryborn 1984 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  20. 20Selena Gomezborn 1992 · United States · Musicians1 decades
  21. 21LeBron Jamesborn 1984 · United States · Basketball Players2 decades
  22. 22Billie Eilishborn 2001 · United States · Musicians0 decades
  23. 23Charlize Theronborn 1975 · South Africa · Actors2 decades
  24. 24Eminemborn 1972 · United States · Musicians2 decades
  25. 25Justin Bieberborn 1994 · Canada · Musicians1 decades
Show 75 more

How to read these rankings

  • Attention, not reputation. A place on these lists reflects the attention a person still draws in the public record. It is not a judgement on the life.
  • Fame in print. The curves show how often a name appeared in the books of each decade from 1800 to 2019, drawn from the Google Books Ngram corpus.
  • Gaps are left as gaps. Where the record is too thin to be fair, we would rather show nothing than guess.