The Most Famous Female Swimmer, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the female swimmer you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 7, 2024 07:07

When striving to recognize the inspiring achievements of female swimmers around the world, it's beneficial to have a thorough assessment of who stands out in the sport. Rankings help us to gauge public opinion and provide a snapshot of who is capturing the attention and admiration of fans globally. Such a list reflects current trends in swimming excellence and has a direct correlation with followership and inspiration drawn by upcoming athletes. By participating in voting on this list, you contribute to a democratic selection process, ensuring that the rankings genuinely reflect the collective viewpoint. This dynamic list transforms with each new vote, offering an accurate representation of public sentiment at any given time. Therefore, your involvement not only aids in creating a more accurate list but also uplifts the athletes who inspire and propel the sport forward.

Who Is the Most Famous Female Swimmer?

1

71
votes

Michael Ledecky · CC BY-SA 4.0

Katie Ledecky

She has won five Olympic gold medals, 15 world championship gold medals, and set 14 world records. She is considered one of the most dominant female swimmers of all time.
2

28
votes

Geoff Livingston · CC BY-SA 2.0

Missy Franklin

She won four gold medals and one bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and has a total of six Olympic medals. She also holds multiple world records.
3

19
votes

Jenny Thompson

She won 12 Olympic medals, including eight gold medals, and is considered one of the greatest female swimmers of all time.
4

11
votes

Fuzheado · CC BY-SA 4.0

Natalie Coughlin

She won 12 Olympic medals, including three gold medals, and set multiple world records. She is considered one of the most versatile swimmers in history.
5

26
votes

Original image: Bryan Allison · CC BY-SA 2.0

Dara Torres

She won 12 Olympic medals, including four gold medals, and competed in five Olympic games. She is known for her longevity and success in her 40s.
6

13
votes

Richard Gillin from St Albans, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rebecca Adlington

She won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics and two bronze medals at the 2012 Olympics. She also set multiple world records.
7

13
votes
Original: br1dotcom from Milan, Italy Derivative work: Bill william compton · CC BY 2.0

Federica Pellegrini

She won two Olympic gold medals and has set multiple world records in the 200m freestyle. She is considered one of the greatest Italian swimmers of all time.
Federica Pellegrini in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous athlete in Italy
8

7
votes

Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Kristin Otto

She won six gold medals at the 1988 Olympics and set multiple world records. She is considered one of the greatest female swimmers of the 20th century.
9

9
votes

Panini · Public domain

Shane Gould

She won three Olympic gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics. She also set multiple world records.
10

3
votes

Anefo / Antonisse, Marcel · CC BY-SA 3.0 nl

Tracy Caulkins

She won three Olympic medals, including one gold medal, and set multiple world records. She is considered one of the greatest American swimmers of all time.

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Ranking factors for famous female swimmer

Achievements

The number of Olympic medals, world championships, and other major titles won by the swimmer.
Records

The number of world records set by the swimmer, as well as the length of time those records stood.
Popularity

The level of public recognition and admiration the swimmer has earned, as well as their media coverage.
Impact on the sport

The swimmer's contributions to advancing the sport of swimming and inspiring future generations of swimmers.
Longevity

The length of the swimmer's career, and their ability to maintain a high level of performance over many years.
Sportsmanship

The swimmer's conduct both in and out of the pool, including their respect for opponents, officials, and the sport itself.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female swimmer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or swimmer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2989 views
198 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each swimmer once every 24 hours. The rank of each swimmer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female swimmer

Background Information: Swimming is a popular sport, and female swimmers have made a significant impact in the field. Over the years, many female swimmers have achieved a great deal of success and have become household names. From Olympic gold medalists to world record holders, these athletes have inspired millions with their talent and dedication. When it comes to the most famous female swimmer, the competition is fierce. There are many names that come to mind, and each has their own unique story and achievements. Some of the most famous female swimmers include Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, and Dara Torres. Katie Ledecky is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and holds multiple world records in freestyle events. Missy Franklin has won four Olympic gold medals and holds the world record in the 200-meter backstroke. Natalie Coughlin has won 12 Olympic medals and is one of the most decorated female swimmers of all time. Dara Torres is a 12-time Olympic medalist and was the oldest swimmer to ever compete in the Olympic games at the age of 41. These female swimmers have not only achieved great success in the pool but have also become role models for young athletes around the world. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance have inspired many and have made them some of the most famous female swimmers in history.