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

  1. 1Patriarch Nikon of Moscow1605-1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures3.5
  2. 2Peter the Great1672-1725 · 18th century · Russia · Politicians3.0
  3. 3Nicholas II of Russia1868-1918 · 20th century · Russia · Historical Figures2.6
  4. 4Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482-1563 · 16th century · Writers2.5
  5. 5Vladimir Putinborn 1952 · 20th century · Russia · Politicians2.2
  6. 6Nicholas I of Russia1796-1855 · 19th century · Russia · Models2.1
  7. 7Alexander I of Russia1777-1825 · 19th century · Russia · Historical Figures2.0
  8. 8Alexis of Russia1629-1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.9
  9. 9Ivan the Terrible1530-1584 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  10. 10Leo Tolstoy1828-1910 · 19th century · Russia · Writers1.9
  11. 11Maria Feodorovna1847-1928 · 19th century · Denmark · Historical Figures1.5
  12. 12Alexander II of Russia1818-1881 · 19th century · Russia · Historical Figures1.5
  13. 13Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857-1905 · 19th century · Russia · Politicians1.5
  14. 14Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847-1909 · 19th century · Russia · Politicians1.4
  15. 15Alexander III of Russia1845-1894 · 19th century · Russia · Historical Figures1.4
  16. 16Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904-1918 · 20th century · Russia · Historical Figures1.3
  17. 17Boris Godunov1552-1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  18. 18Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850-1908 · 19th century · Russia · Historical Figures1.1
  19. 19Elizabeth of Russia1709-1761 · 18th century · Russia · Historical Figures1.0
  20. 20Andrei Bely1880-1934 · 20th century · Russia · Writers1.0
  21. 21Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690-1718 · 18th century · Politicians1.0
  22. 22Ivan I of Tver1357-1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.99
  23. 23Paul I of Russia1754-1801 · 18th century · Russia · Historical Figures0.96
  24. 24Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832-1909 · 19th century · Russia · Politicians0.92
  25. 25Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.88
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. 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.