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 Hebrew books during the 21st century, whenever they lived.

  1. 1Reuven Rivlinborn 1939 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians15
  2. 2Ahad Ha'am1856-1927 · 19th century · Russia · Writers9.8
  3. 3Rav Ashi352-427 · 4th century9.5
  4. 4Haggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures9.3
  5. 5Shimon Peres1923-2016 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians7.2
  6. 6Paul the Apostle5-66 · 1st century · Turkey · Writers6.8
  7. 7Menachem Begin1913-1992 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians6.0
  8. 8Yitzhak Rabin1922-1995 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians5.9
  9. 9Moshe Dayan1915-1981 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians5.7
  10. 10Shimon bar Yochai100-160 · 2nd century5.2
  11. 11Simeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.6
  12. 12Hayyim ben Joseph Vital1542-1620 · 16th century · Turkey · Musicians4.5
  13. 13Hai Gaon939-1038 · 10th century · Writers4.5
  14. 14Johanan ben Zakai50 BC-70 · 1st millennium BC4.4
  15. 15Ariel Sharon1928-2014 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians4.3
  16. 16Josephus37-100 · 1st century · Writers4.2
  17. 17Saadia Gaon882-942 · 10th century · Academics4.0
  18. 18Golda Meir1898-1978 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.9
  19. 19Moses Sofer1762-1839 · 18th century3.9
  20. 20Nathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century3.7
  21. 21Ehud Barakborn 1942 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.6
  22. 22Baal Shem Tov1698-1760 · 18th century3.5
  23. 23Habakkuk626 BC-600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures3.4
  24. 24Moshe Sharett1894-1965 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.1
  25. 25Levi Eshkol1895-1969 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.1
  26. 26Benjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians3.1
  27. 27Nachman of Breslov1772-1810 · 19th century · Russia3.0
  28. 28Ehud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians2.9
  29. 29Rabbeinu Tam1100-1171 · 12th century · France · Writers2.7
  30. 30Sabbatai Zevi1626-1676 · 17th century · Turkey · Religious Figures2.6
  31. 31Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150-1217 · 12th century · Academics2.4
  32. 32Yitzhak Shamir1915-2012 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians2.1
  33. 33Amos Oz1939-2018 · 20th century · Israel · Writers2.1
  34. 34Simeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century2.0
  35. 35Hillel the Elder50 BC-100 · 1st millennium BC1.5
  36. 36Gilad Shalitborn 1986 · 21st century · Israel · Writers1.5
  37. 37Chaim Weizmann1874-1952 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians1.5
  38. 38Yanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers1.5
  39. 39Tzipi Livniborn 1958 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians1.5
  40. 40Isaac Herzogborn 1960 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians1.4
  41. 41Amram Gaon810-875 · 9th century1.3
  42. 42Samuel ibn Naghrillah993-1055 · 11th century · Writers1.2
  43. 43Isaac Abrabanel1437-1508 · 15th century · Academics1.0
  44. 44Mendele Mocher Sforim1835-1917 · 19th century · Belarus · Writers1.0
  45. 45Isaac the Blind1160-1235 · 12th century · France · Writers1.00
  46. 46Shneur Zalman of Liadi1745-1812 · 18th century · Russia · Academics0.83
  47. 47Herod Archelaus23 BC-18 · 1st century · Models0.82
  48. 48Jacob Emden1697-1776 · 18th century · Germany0.80
  49. 49Chaim Herzog1918-1997 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians0.80
  50. 50Moses ben Jacob Cordovero1522-1570 · 16th century · Turkey · Actors0.79
  51. 51Hanina ben Dosa40-75 · 1st century0.74
  52. 52Baruch Spinoza1632-1677 · 17th century · Netherlands · Academics0.69
  53. 53Judas Maccabeus500 BC-160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.66
  54. 54Nathan of Gaza1644-1680 · 17th century · Turkey · Writers0.62
  55. 55Jonathan Eybeschutz1690-1764 · 18th century · Germany0.58
  56. 56Chaim ibn Attar1696-1743 · 18th century · Morocco0.58
  57. 57Chaim Joseph David Azulai1724-1806 · 18th century · Turkey · Historical Figures0.54
  58. 58Joseph Albo1380-1444 · 15th century · Academics0.53
  59. 59Israel ben Moses Najara1555-1628 · 16th century · Turkey · Writers0.53
  60. 60Hasdai Crescas1340-1410 · 14th century · Academics0.53
  61. 61Gaon of Vilnius1720-1797 · 18th century · Russia0.49
  62. 62Shalom Shabazi1619-1719 · 17th century · Turkey · Writers0.48
  63. 63Eleazar ben Arach100-200 · 2nd century0.46
  64. 64Benjamin of Tudela1130-1174 · 12th century · Spain · Historical Figures0.42
  65. 65Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505-1576 · 16th century · Turkey · Writers0.42
  66. 66Eliezer ben Hurcanus100-200 · 2nd century0.40
  67. 67Solomon Molcho1500-1532 · 16th century · Academics0.39
  68. 68Yonah Gerondi1210-1263 · 13th century · Academics0.37
  69. 69Zerachiah haLevi of Girona1130-1186 · 12th century · France · Writers0.37
  70. 70Moshe Alshich1508-1593 · 16th century · Turkey0.37
  71. 71Joseph Kimhi1105-1170 · 12th century · France · Writers0.37
  72. 72Menaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249-1306 · 13th century · France · Musicians0.36
  73. 73Yehuda Alharizi1165-1225 · 13th century · Writers0.36
  74. 74Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470-1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.35
  75. 75Bahya ben Asher1255-1340 · 13th century · Writers0.35
  76. 76Mordecai Yoffe1530-1612 · 16th century · Poland0.34
  77. 77Nissim ben Jacob990-1062 · 11th century · Writers0.33
  78. 78Isaac ben Moses Arama1420-1494 · 15th century0.29
  79. 79Immanuel the Roman1260-1328 · 13th century · Writers0.27
  80. 80Menasseh Ben Israel1604-1657 · 17th century · Netherlands · Academics0.25
  81. 81Dunash ben Labrat920-990 · 10th century · Morocco · Writers0.23
  82. 82Azariah dei Rossi1513-1578 · 16th century · Writers0.23
  83. 83Jonah ibn Janah990-1050 · 11th century · Academics0.23
  84. 84Ishtori Haparchi1280-1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.20
  85. 85David Grossmanborn 1954 · 20th century · Israel · Writers0.20
  86. 86Mahmoud Darwish1941-2008 · 20th century · Palestine · Writers0.20
  87. 87Yair Lapidborn 1963 · 20th century · Israel · Politicians0.18
  88. 88Abraham bar Hiyya1070-1136 · 12th century · Academics0.17
  89. 89Eleazar ben Killir600-700 · 7th century · Writers0.17
  90. 90Jedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270-1340 · 14th century · France · Academics0.17
  91. 91Profiat Duran1350-1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.17
  92. 92Rashbam1080-1158 · 12th century0.17
  93. 93Ilan Ramon1954-2003 · 20th century · Israel0.16
  94. 94Shmuel Yosef Agnon1887-1970 · 20th century · Germany · Writers0.15
  95. 95Elia del Medigo1458-1497 · 15th century · Turkey · Academics0.12
  96. 96Isaac ibn Ezra1114-1158 · 12th century · Spain · Writers0.12
  97. 97Shabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.12
  98. 98Moses ben Joshua1300-1362 · 14th century · Academics0.11
  99. 99Joseph Caspi1280-1345 · 14th century · France · Academics0.11
  100. 100Etgar Keretborn 1967 · 21st century · Israel · Writers0.11

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
Show 75 more

Lived then

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

  1. 1Christopher Nolanborn 1970 · United Kingdom · Directors2 decades
  2. 2Guy Ritchieborn 1968 · United Kingdom · Directors2 decades
  3. 3J. J. Abramsborn 1966 · United States · Directors1 decades
  4. 4Sofia Coppolaborn 1971 · United States · Directors2 decades
  5. 5Paul Thomas Andersonborn 1970 · United States · Directors2 decades
  6. 6M. Night Shyamalanborn 1970 · United States · Directors2 decades
  7. 7Wes Andersonborn 1969 · United States · Directors2 decades
  8. 8Denis Villeneuveborn 1967 · Canada · Directors0 decades
  9. 9Sam Mendesborn 1965 · United Kingdom · Directors3 decades
  10. 10Darren Aronofskyborn 1969 · United States · Directors1 decades
  11. 11Chloé Zhaoborn 1982 · China · Directorsnot measured-
  12. 12Taika Waititiborn 1975 · New Zealand · Directors0 decades
  13. 13Michael Bayborn 1965 · United States · Directors2 decades
  14. 14Zack Snyderborn 1966 · United States · Directors1 decades
  15. 15James Wanborn 1977 · Malaysia · Directors0 decades
  16. 16Bong Joon-hoborn 1969 · South Korea · Directors0 decades
  17. 17Robert Rodriguezborn 1968 · United States · Directors3 decades
  18. 18Kevin Smithborn 1970 · United States · Directorsnot measured-
  19. 19Shonda Rhimesborn 1970 · United States · Directors1 decades
  20. 20Alex Jonesborn 1974 · United States · Directors1 decades
  21. 21Yorgos Lanthimosborn 1973 · Greece · Directors0 decades
  22. 22Ryan Cooglerborn 1986 · United States · Directors0 decades
  23. 23Stormy Danielsborn 1979 · United States · Directors0 decades
  24. 24Spike Jonzeborn 1969 · United States · Directors2 decades
  25. 25Bryan Singerborn 1965 · United States · Directors2 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.