The Most Famous Historical Person, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the historical person you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 08:18

Throughout the annals of time, countless individuals have shaped our world through their contributions, ideologies, and innovations. Comparing their impacts and understanding who stands out in the pages of history can give us insights into the values and milestones that define human progress. This dynamic ranking allows you to participate in constructing a collective memory of those who have made significant marks. By casting your vote, you contribute to a broader narrative that transcends generations and borders. Each vote is a testament to the ongoing dialogue about who we, as a society, hold in high regard and why. As new people discover this ongoing tally and add their perspectives, the rankings evolve, reflecting current opinions against the backdrop of history.

Who Is the Most Famous Historical Person?

1

69
votes
Jesus Christ

A religious leader and central figure of Christianity, believed by millions to be the son of God.
Jesus Christ in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous healer
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous martyr
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous religious figure
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Bible character
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous deity
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous teacher
2

27
votes
Muhammad

The founder of Islam and considered by Muslims to be the last prophet of God.
Muhammad is the most popular boy's name in Pakistan and is widely used by Muslim families. It holds significant religious and cultural importance. The name Muhammad has its roots in Arabic and is derived from the Arabic word 'hamida,' which means 'to praise.' It is believed to honor and reflect the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam.

Origin: Arabic

Religious Significance: Honoring the Prophet Muhammad

Cultural Importance: Popular name within Muslim families in Pakistan

Meaning: To praise

Traditional pronunciation: Moo-ham-mad
3

9
votes
Attributed to John Taylor · Public domain

William Shakespeare

An English playwright and poet widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.
William Shakespeare in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous English playwright
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous author of all time
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous author of sonnets in history
- Position 3 of 10 in Most talented boy in the world
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Taurus
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous father
4

25
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Julius Caesar

William Shakespeare

A Roman general, statesman, and author who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. It portrays the conspiracy against and assassination of Roman dictator Julius Caesar, as well as its aftermath. The play explores themes of power, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and the consequences of political ambition.

Genre: Tragedy

Date of Composition: 1599-1600

Setting: Ancient Rome

Number of Acts: 5

Protagonist: Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Caesar
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous conqueror
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous swordsman
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous ambidextrous person
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous deceased person
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Italian person
5

12
votes
Cleopatra

The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, who has become a pop culture icon and symbol of female power.
Cleopatra is a song by the American folk rock band The Lumineers. It was released in 2016 as the title track of their second studio album, 'Cleopatra'. The song tells a poignant story of a woman reflecting on her life as she looks back on her journey and the choices she has made. The lyrics are introspective and evocative, accompanied by the band's signature acoustic sound.

Album: Cleopatra

Release Year: 2016

Genre: Folk rock

Length: 3:23

Label: Dualtone Music Group
6

16
votes
Attributed to Francesco Melzi · Public domain

Leonardo da Vinci

An Italian polymath who excelled in many fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, engineering, and science.
Leonardo da Vinci in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous artist of all time
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Italian person
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous deceased artist
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person with illegitimate parentage
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous engineer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most brilliant person in the entire world
7

13
votes
François Gérard · Public domain

Napoleon Bonaparte

A French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and went on to become Emperor of France.
Napoleon Bonaparte in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous French person
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous king of France
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous conqueror
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous lover
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous victim of Kyphosis
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous grave-digger
8

6
votes
Gilbert Stuart · Public domain

George Washington

The first President of the United States and a key figure in the American Revolution.
George Washington was the first President of the United States, serving two terms from 1789 to 1797. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and influential Presidents in American history.

Term Length: Served two terms from 1789 to 1797

Party Affiliation: Independent/Nonpartisan

Predecessor: Office established, no predecessor

Successor: John Adams

Born: February 22, 1732
George Washington in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous army general
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person in Virginia
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Freemason
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous father
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Federalist
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Pisces person
9

7
votes
Elliott & Fry · Public domain

Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

An Indian independence activist who employed nonviolent civil disobedience to lead India to independence from British colonial rule.
Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent leader and social activist in India during the Indian Independence movement. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance, called Satyagraha, inspired many movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Birthdate: October 2, 1869

Place of Birth: Porbandar, Gujarat, India

Movement: Indian Independence Movement

Nickname: Mahatma (Great Soul)

Influenced by: Leo Tolstoy, Henry David Thoreau
Mahatma Gandhi in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous freedom fighter
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous freedom fighter in India
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous poor person
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Asian
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous rebels
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous introvert
10

6
votes
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

A German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity and is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
Albert Einstein was a revolutionary physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which greatly influenced our understanding of the laws of physics and the universe. Despite facing initial skepticism and rejection, his work eventually led to numerous advances in science and technology.

Theory of Relativity: Einstein's groundbreaking theory that explains the relationships between space, time, and gravity.

Nobel Prize in Physics: Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.

E=mc²: The famous equation derived by Einstein, which relates energy (E) to mass (m) and the speed of light (c) squared.

Special Relativity: A theory that describes the behavior of objects moving at constant velocities relative to each other, challenging traditional concepts of space and time.

General Relativity: An extension of special relativity that includes acceleration and gravity, explaining the curvature of space and the motion of celestial bodies.
Albert Einstein in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person with Dyslexia
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Pisces person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Israeli
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous bow tie wearer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous father

Missing your favorite historical person?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous historical person

Impact

How much of an impact did this person have on their respective field, society, or the world as a whole?
Fame

How well known is this person, both historically and currently?
Influence

How much did this person influence those around them, either during their lifetime or after?
Legacy

How much of a lasting impact did this person leave behind, and how well is their legacy preserved and studied today?

About this ranking

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

Statistics

2022 views
177 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most famous historical person

When it comes to historical figures, there are countless names that have made their mark on the world. From ancient rulers and philosophers to modern-day innovators and activists, the most famous historical person is a topic of endless debate. Depending on who you ask, you might hear names like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela. One thing is for sure, however – the most famous historical person is someone who has left a lasting impact on the world, whether through their ideas, accomplishments, or even their mistakes. This person has become a symbol of their time and continues to influence how we see the world today. At StrawPoll, we're curious to know who you think is the most famous historical person. Cast your vote and see if your pick aligns with the rest of the community!