List of Estonians
This is a list of notable Estonians.
Architects
- Andres Alver
- Dmitri Bruns
- Karl Burman
- Madis Eek
- Eugen Habermann
- Georg Hellat
- Otto Pius Hippius
- Erich Jacoby
- Herbert Johanson
- Peep Jänes
- Louis I. Kahn,
- Raine Karp
- Alar Kotli
- Edgar-Johan Kuusik
- Ernst Gustav Kühnert
- Vilen Künnapu
- Leonhard Lapin
- Elmar Lohk
- Margit Mutso
- Robert Natus
- Uno Prii
- Raivo Puusepp
- Jacques Rosenbaum
- Eugen Sacharias
- Olev Siinmaa
- Elmar Tampõld
Business and politics
- Hardo Aasmäe, geographer, politician, encyclopedist
- Andrus Ansip, politician
- Jaan Anvelt, politician
- Ado Birk, politician
- Ivi Eenmaa, librarian and politician
- Kaarel Eenpalu, politician
- Ene Ergma, politician
- Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie, politician
- Karoli Hindriks, entrepreneur
- Toomas Hendrik Ilves, journalist, politician, president
- Ernst Jaakson, diplomat
- Steve Jurvetson, businessman
- Siim Kallas, politician
- Carmen Kass, supermodel, chess players, businesswoman, film actress and politician.
- Tunne Kelam, politician
- Tõnis Kint, politician
- Riina Kionka, diplomat
- Mihkel Klaassen, State judge
- August Koern, politician and diplomat
- Eerik-Niiles Kross, diplomat and politician
- Mart Laar, politician, historian
- Rein Lang, journalist, businessman, politician
- Robert Lepikson, businessman, politician
- Peeter Lepp, politician
- Jürgen Ligi, politician
- Elmar Lipping, politician
- Hjalmar Mäe, politician
- Linnart Mäll, orientalist, politician
- Harry Männil, businessman, art collector
- Heinrich Mark, politician
- Jaan Manitski, businessman, politician
- Maret Maripuu, politician
- Lennart Meri, writer, filmmaker, president
- Jüri Mõis, businessman, politician
- Aarni Neuvonen, employment fraudster
- Ülo Nugis, politician, economist
- Kristiina Ojuland, politician
- Lembit Öpik, politician
- Rein Otsason, economist, businessman
- Siiri Oviir, politician
- Ivari Padar, politician
- Tõnis Palts, politician, businessman
- Sir Arvi Parbo, businessman
- Juhan Parts, politician
- Keit Pentus, politician
- Hanno Pevkur, politician
- Jüri Pihl, politician
- Konstantin Päts, journalist, politician, former president
- Jaan Poska, diplomat, politician
- Valdo Randpere, businessman, musician
- August Rei, politician, diplomat
- Alfred Rosenberg, politician, ideologist
- Arnold Rüütel, agricultural manager, politician, president
- Edgar V. Saks, statesman, historian and author
- Edgar Savisaar, politician
- Johannes Sikkar, politician
- Artur Sirk, officer, lawyer, politician
- Otto Strandman, politician
- Rein Taagepera, political scientist, politician
- Jaak Tamm, politician
- Alexei Tammet-Romanov, Romanov impostor
- Andres Tarand, politician
- Indrek Tarand, politician, historian, journalist
- Enn Tarto, dissident, politician
- Otto Tief, military officer, politician
- Jaan Tõnisson, journalist, politician
- Anton Uesson, politician, engineer
- Jüri Uluots, lawyer, politician
- Aleksander Warma, navy officer, politician
- Priit Vilba, businessman, politician
- Jüri Vilms, lawyer, politician
- Toomas Vilosius, physician, politician
- Tiit Vähi, businessman, politician
Education and science
- Julius Aamisepp, agricultural scientist
- Johannes Aavik, linguist
- Jüri Allik, psychologist
- Paul Ariste, linguist
- Karl Ernst von Baer, biologist
- Girsh Blumberg, American - Estonian - experimental physicist
- Karl Ernst Claus, chemist
- Georg Dehio, art historian
- Jaan Einasto, astrophysicist
- Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz , entomologist
- Bengt Gottfried Forselius, founder of public education
- Johannes Hint, physicist, inventor
- Jakob Hurt, linguist, collector of folklore
- Andres Kasekamp, historian
- Rainer Kattel, innovation scholar, political philosopher
- Paul Kogerman, chemist
- Wolfgang Köhler, psychologist
- Nikolai Köstner, economist, politician
- Eerik Kumari, ornithologist
- Helga Kurm, dean of the Tartu State University Pedagogical Division
- Heinrich Lenz, physicist
- Elmar Leppik, biologist
- Otto Liiv, historian, archivist
- Endel Lippmaa, chemist, physicist, politician
- Mihhail Lotman, semiotician
- Yuri Lotman, semiotician
- Richard Karlovich Maack, geographer, botanist, Siberian explorer, educator
- Sulev Mäeltsemees, public administration theorist
- Friedrich Martens, diplomat, international lawyer
- Viktor Masing, ecologist
- Harri Moora, archaeologist
- Ragnar Nurkse, economist
- Ernst Öpik, astronomer
- Jaak Panksepp, psychologist, ethologist, neuroscientist
- Erast Parmasto, mycologist
- Georg Friedrich Parrot
- Johann Friedrich Parrot, physician, explorer
- Jaan Puhvel, linguist
- Ludvig Puusepp, medical scientist, neurosurgeon
- Georg Wilhelm Richmann, physicist
- Hillar M. Rootare, chemist
- Mart Saarma, molecular biologist
- Thomas Seebeck, physicist
- Otto Wilhelm von Struve, astronomer
- Svante Pääbo, paleogeneticist
- Eduard von Toll , geologist, Arctic explorer
- Endel Tulving, psychologist
- Jakob von Uexküll, biologist, semiotician
- Lauri Vaska, chemist
- Mihkel Veske, linguist, poet
- Gustav Vilbaste, botanist
- Edgar de Wahl, teacher, creator of Interlingue
Literature and journalism
- Artur Adson, poet
- Artur Alliksaar, poet
- Betti Alver, poet
- Johannes Barbarus, poet
- Nikolai Baturin, writer
- Vladimir Beekman, poet, novelist, translator
- Eduard Bornhöhe, writer
- Ernst Enno, poet
- Friedrich Robert Faehlmann, writer, physician
- August Gailit, writer
- Ado Grenzstein, journalist
- Sass Henno, writer
- August Wilhelm Hupel, ecclesiastic writer, ethnologist
- Ivar Ivask, literary scholar, critic, poet
- Carl Robert Jakobson, journalist, political activist
- Johann Voldemar Jannsen, journalist, political activist
- Fred Jüssi, journalist, champion of wildlife
- Ain Kaalep, poet
- Bernard Kangro, poet, writer, journalist
- Jaan Kaplinski, writer, journalist, politician
- Doris Kareva, poet
- Kaur Kender, writer
- August Kitzberg, writer
- Albert Kivikas, writer
- Andrus Kivirähk, writer
- Lydia Koidula, poet
- Madis Kõiv, author, physicist and philosopher
- Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, physician, writer, author of national epic
- Jaan Kross, writer
- Kalle Kurg, poet, writer, critic, translator
- Paul Kuusberg, writer
- Kalle Lasn, founder of Adbusters magazine
- Kalju Lepik, poet
- Juhan Liiv, poet, writer
- Martin Lipp, poet
- Viivi Luik, poet
- Oskar Luts, writer
- Iko Maran, writer
- Otto Wilhelm Masing, pastor, philologist, journalist
- Uku Masing, poet, theologian, ethnologist
- Lennart Meri, writer, politician
- Kersti Merilaas, poet, playwright
- Mait Metsanurk, writer
- Mihkel Mutt, writer, critic
- August Mälk, writer
- Ellen Niit, children's writer, poet and translator
- Minni Nurme, writer and poet
- Tõnu Õnnepalu, writer
- Ants Oras, writer and translator
- Eeva Park, writer and poet
- Aino Pervik, children's author
- Kristjan Jaak Peterson, poet
- Lilli Promet, writer
- Eno Raud, children's book author
- Mart Raud, writer
- Hugo Raudsepp, playwright
- Karl Ristikivi, writer, poet
- Aarne Ruben, writer
- Paul-Eerik Rummo, poet, politician
- Balthasar Russow, chronicler
- Peeter Sauter, writer
- Johannes Semper, writer, poet
- Juhan Smuul, writer, poet
- Gustav Suits, poet
- Heiti Talvik, poet
- Harald Tammer, journalist
- Anton Hansen Tammsaare, writer
- Mats Traat, author, poet
- Tõnu Trubetsky, writer, musician, film director
- Friedebert Tuglas, writer, critic, literary scholar
- Marie Under, poet
- Mati Unt, writer, stage director
- Edgar Valter, writer, artist
- Arvo Valton, writer
- Priit Vesilind, journalist, photographer, author
- Enn Vetemaa, writer
- Juhan Viiding, poet, actor
- Paul Viiding, poet
- Eduard Vilde, writer, journalist
- Heiki Vilep, writer
- Henrik Visnapuu, poet, journalist
- Gero von Wilpert, writer
- Wimberg, journalist, poet
- Hella Wuolijoki, writer, politician
Military and seafaring
- Avdy Andresson, politician
- Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, geographer, navigator, admiral
- Alexander von Benckendorff, general, politician
- Konstantin von Benckendorff, general, diplomat
- Herbert Brede, general
- Ivar Brok, Estonian Army, killed in action in Afghanistan
- Aleksander Einseln, general, politician
- Jacob De la Gardie, officer, statesman
- Otto Heinze, general
- Nikolai Helk, general
- Aleksander Jaakson, general, statesman
- Martin Jervan, general
- Otto von Kotzebue, geographer, navigator
- Tarmo Kõuts, admiral, politician
- Adam Johann von Krusenstern, geographer, navigator
- Julius Kuperjanov, officer
- Ants Laaneots, general
- Johan Laidoner, general, politician
- Andres Larka, general, politician
- Hans Leesment, general
- Lembitu of Lehola, tribal elder, military commander
- Andres Nuiamäe, first Estonian soldier killed in action in Iraq
- Karl Parts, officer
- Johan Pitka, admiral, politician
- Ernst Põdder, general
- Viktor Puskar, officer
- Alfons Rebane, officer, intelligence operative
- Nikolai Reek, general
- Harald Riipalu, officer
- Paul Maitla, officer
- Harald Nugiseks, officer
- August Sabbe, guerrilla
- Jaan Soots, general
- Allain Tikko, Estonian Army, killed in action in Afghanistan
- Aleksander Tõnisson, general
- Jaan Usin, navy officer, commander of the Peipsi flotilla
- Ferdinand von Wrangel, Arctic explorer
Music
- Evald Aav, composer, choir conductor
- Juhan Aavik, composer, conductor
- Urmas Alender, pop musician
- Heino Eller, composer
- Olari Elts, conductor
- Gustav Ernesaks, composer, conductor
- Eda-Ines Etti, pop musician
- Miina Härma, composer, conductor
- Maarja-Liis Ilus, pop musician
- Johann Voldemar Jannsen, conductor, journalist
- Neeme Järvi, conductor
- Paavo Järvi, conductor
- Piret Järvis, rock musician
- Joonatan Jürgenson, classical pianist
- Artur Kapp, composer
- Eugen Kapp , composer
- Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor
- Mari Kalkun, folk singer
- Paul Kostabi, musician
- Maarja Kivi, rock/metal musician
- Triinu Kivilaan, model, pop/rock musician
- Eri Klas, conductor
- Kerli Kõiv, musician, songwriter
- Cyrillus Kreek, composer
- Lenna Kuurmaa, rock musician
- Heli Lääts, singer
- Käbi Laretei, pianist, composer, writer
- Artur Lemba, pianist, composer
- Ott Lepland, singer, actor
- Ivo Linna, singer, pop musician
- Uno Loop, singer, musician, athlete, actor, educator
- Mihkel Lüdig composer, organist, choir conductor
- Ester Mägi, composer
- Tõnis Mägi, singer, pop musician
- Alo Mattiisen, composer
- Maria Minerva, experimental musician
- Getter Jaani, singer, actress
- Sandra Nurmsalu, singer
- Maarja Nuut, singer and violinist
- Birgit Õigemeel, singer
- Georg Ots, opera singer
- Tanel Padar, pop musician
- Rene Pais, DJ, record producer
- Arvo Pärt, composer
- Annely Peebo, opera singer
- Kristiina Poska, conductor
- Jaan Rääts, composer
- Kalle Randalu, pianist
- Rein Rannap, composer, pianist
- Vardo Rumessen, pianist, politician
- Mart Saar, composer
- Evelin Samuel, pop musician
- Mart Sander, singer, actor
- Urmas Sisask, composer
- Katrin Siska, rock musician
- Eduard Sõrmus, violinist
- Lepo Sumera, composer
- Eino Tamberg, composer
- Kalmer Tennosaar, singer, TV journalist
- Rudolf Tobias, composer
- Helen Tobias-Duesberg, composer
- Koit Toome, pop musician
- Veljo Tormis, composer
- Tõnu Trubetsky, singer, composer, writer
- Eduard Tubin, composer
- Erkki-Sven Tüür, composer
- Raimond Valgre, composer
- Anne Veski, pop musician
- Asta Vihandi, opera singer, actress
- Vello Viisimaa, singer, actor
Performing arts
- Argo Aadli, actor
- Ott Aardam, actor
- Tõnu Aav, actor
- Taavi Eelmaa, actor
- Herta Elviste, actress
- Ants Eskola, actor
- Ita Ever, actress
- Viiu Härm, actress, poet
- Kersti Heinloo, actress
- Tanel Ingi, actor
- Jüri Järvet, actor
- Ülle Kaljuste, actress
- Volli Käro, actor
- Carmen Kass, supermodel
- Kaljo Kiisk, actor, film director and politician
- Miliza Korjus, opera singer, film actress
- Hele Kõrve, actress, singer
- Risto Kübar, actor
- Tiiu Kuik, model
- Betty Kuuskemaa, actress
- Lia Laats, actress
- Lauri Lagle, actor, director, screenwriter
- Silvia Laidla, actress
- Anu Lamp, actress and director
- Astrid Lepa, actress and director
- Tiit Lilleorg, actor
- Raine Loo, actress
- Aksella Luts, actress, screenwriter
- Ain Lutsepp, actor and politician
- Theodor Luts, director and cinematographer
- Ain Mäeots, actor, director, producer
- Laine Mägi, actress and choreographer
- Heino Mandri, actor
- Konstantin Märska, cinematographer
- Marko Matvere, actor
- Laine Mesikäpp, actress, singer, folk song collector
- Mikk Mikiver, stage director, actor
- Ornella Muti, film actress
- Gerd Neggo, dancer and choreographer
- Ester Pajusoo, actress
- Mirtel Pohla, actress
- Salme Poopuu, actress, filmmaker
- Erik Norkroos, cinematographer, producer, editor and director
- Kalju Orro, actor
- Priit Pärn, animated film maker, graphic artist
- Leida Rammo, actress
- Elsa Ratassepp, actress
- Tõnis Rätsep, actor, singer, educator, poet, playwright and author
- Evi Rauer, actress
- Salme Reek, actress
- Enn Reitel, film actor
- Jaan Rekkor, actor
- Moonika Siimets, film director
- Meeli Sööt, actress
- Eero Spriit, actor and producer
- Arno Suurorg, actor
- Mena Suvari, actress
- Aino Talvi, actress
- Kärt Tomingas, actress, singer
- Tanel Toom, Oscar-nominated film director and screenwriter
- Lembit Ulfsak, actor
- Olli Ungvere, actress and singer
- Katariina Unt, actress
- Ivo Uukkivi, actor and musician
- Jan Uuspõld, actor, musician
- Viire Valdma, actress
- Ragne Veensalu, actress
- Kullar Viimne, film director and cinematographer
- Evelin Võigemast, actress, singer
- Priit Võigemast, actor
Religion
- Herman , head of Finnish Orthodox Church
- Jaan Kiivit, Jr, archbishop
- Juhan Leinberg, founder of a religious sect
- Kuno Pajula, archbishop
- Andres Põder, archbishop
- Alexey Ridiger, head of Orthodox Church
- Arthur Võõbus, theologian, orientalist, church historian
Sport
- Moonika Aava, javelin thrower
- Arvi Aavik, wrestler
- Aleksander Aberg, wrestler
- Friedrich Amelung, chess player
- Maret Ani, tennis player
- Ants Antson, speedskater, Olympic medalist
- Marko Asmer, racing driver
- Lauri Aus, cyclist
- Aleksei Budõlin, judoka, Olympic medalist
- Toomas Edur, NHL hockey player
- Jaan Ehlvest, chess player
- Eduard Ellman-Eelma, football player
- August Englas, wrestler
- Gunnar Friedemann, chess player
- Jüri Jaanson, rower, Olympic medalist
- Georg Hackenschmidt, wrestler
- Helger Hallik, wrestler
- Kaido Höövelson, sumo wrestler
- Margus Hunt, former discus thrower, former shot putter, American football player
- Elvy Kalep, aviator
- Kaia Kanepi, tennis player
- Meelis Kanep, chess grandmaster
- Gerd Kanter, discus thrower, Olympic medalist
- Osvald Käpp, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Paul Keres, chess player
- Lionel Kieseritzky, chess player
- Jaan Kikkas, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Jaan Kirsipuu, cyclist
- Martin Klein, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Aleksander Klumberg, decathlete, Olympic medalist
- Leo Komarov, ice hockey player
- Anett Kontaveit, tennis player
- Anton Koolmann, wrestler
- Johannes Kotkas, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Albert Kusnets, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Marko Kristal, football player
- Leho Laurine, chess player
- Tanel Leok, motocross rider
- Siim Liivik, ice hockey player
- Joel Lindpere, footballer for New York Red Bulls and the Estonian National Team
- Heino Lipp, decathlete
- Jüri Lossmann, long distance runner, Olympic medalist
- Arnold Luhaäär, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Georg Lurich, wrestler
- Epp Mäe, wrestler
- Jaak Mae, skier, Olympic medalist
- Markko Märtin, rally driver
- Tarmo Mitt, World Strong Man
- Martin Müürsepp, basketball player
- Heiki Nabi, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Iivo Nei, chess player
- August Neo, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Alfred Neuland, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Erki Nool, decathlete, Olympic medalist
- Mati Nuude, weightlifter and singer
- Tõnu Õim, chess player
- Lembit Oll, chess player
- Andres Oper, football player
- Kristjan Palusalu, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Indrek Pertelson, judoka, Olympic medalist
- Mart Poom, football player
- Eduard Pütsep, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Kristjan Rahnu, decathlete
- Ilmar Raud, chess player
- Michael Roos, American football player
- Salme Rootare, chess player
- Vidrik Rootare, chess player
- Sven Salumaa, tennis player
- Erika Salumäe, cyclist, Olympic medalist
- Jane Salumäe, marathon runner
- Ortvin Sarapu, chess player
- Roman Steinberg, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Alfred Schmidt, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Paul Felix Schmidt, chess player
- Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, skier, Olympic medalist
- Tiit Sokk, basketball player
- Nikolai Stepulov, boxer, Olympic medalist
- Toivo Suursoo, ice hockey player
- Jaan Talts, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Harald Tammer, journalist, athlete, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
- Aleksander Tammert, discus thrower, Olympic medalist
- Ott Tänak, rally driver
- Jüri Tarmak, high jumper, Olympic medalist
- Tõnu Tõniste, yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
- Toomas Tõniste, yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
- Michael Roos, American football player
- Johannes Türn, chess player
- Voldemar Väli, wrestler, Olympic medalist
- Andrus Värnik, javelin thrower
- Andrus Veerpalu, skier, Olympic medalist
Visual arts
- Priidu Aavik, painter
- Amandus Adamson, sculptor
- Adamson-Eric, painter
- Ellinor Aiki, painter
- Arnold Akberg, painter
- Peeter Allik, painter, black and white artist
- Efraim Allsalu, painter
- Jüri Arrak, painter
- Alfred Hirv, painter
- Raivo Järvi, illustrator, politician
- Mati Karmin, sculptor
- Mari Käbin, jewelry artist
- Elmar Kits, painter
- Johann Köler, painter
- Andres Koort, painter and scenographer
- Mark Kostabi, painter
- Meeli Kõiva, painter, installation and light artist, sculptor, cinematographer, producer and film director
- Ants Laikmaa, painter
- Leonhard Lapin, graphic, painter, sculptor, architect
- Ivo Lill, glass artist
- Olav Maran, artist
- Marko Mäetamm, painter
- Konrad Mägi, painter
- Kadri Mälk, jewelry artist
- Lydia Mei, painter
- Natalie Mei, painter
- Juhan Muks, painter
- Evald Okas, painter
- Eduard Ole, painter
- Ludvig Oskar, painter
- Tiit Pääsuke, painter
- Karl Pärsimägi, painter
- Kaljo Põllu, painter, graphic artist
- Kristjan Raud, graphic artist
- Paul Raud, painter
- Enn Roos, sculptor
- Endel Ruberg, artist, educator
- Richard Sagrits, painter
- Michel Sittow, painter
- Ülo Sooster, painter
- Anton Starkopf, sculptor
- Jaan Toomik, painter
- Nikolai Triik, painter
- Teodor Ussisoo, furniture designer
- Helge Uuetoa, painter
- Aleksander Uurits, painter, graphic artist
- Ado Vabbe, painter
- Kuno Veeber, painter
- Edmund S. Valtman, cartoonist
- Annes Varjun, ceramic artist
- Eduard Viiralt, graphic artist
- Kiino Villand, photographer
- Ilon Wikland, illustrator
Other
- Mari Raamot, activist