This is a list of notable people from Estonia, or of Estonian ancestry.

Architects

  • Andres Alver (born 1953)
  • Dmitri Bruns (1929–2020)
  • Karl Burman (1882–1965)
  • Eugen Habermann (1884–1944)
  • Georg Hellat (1870–1943)
  • Otto Pius Hippius (1826–1883)
  • Erich Jacoby (1885–1941)
  • Herbert Johanson (1884–1964)
  • Peep Jänes (born 1936)
  • Louis I. Kahn (1901–1974) (USA)
  • Raine Karp (born 1939)
  • Alar Kotli (1904–1963)
  • Edgar-Johan Kuusik (1888–1974)
  • Ernst Gustav Kühnert (1885–1961)
  • Vilen Künnapu (born 1948)
  • Elmar Lohk (1901–1963)
  • Ülar Mark (born 1968)
  • Margit Mutso (born 1966)
  • Robert Natus (1890–1950)
  • Uno Prii (1924–2000)
  • Raivo Puusepp (born 1960)
  • Jacques Rosenbaum (1878–1944)
  • Eugen Sacharias (1906–2002)
  • Olev Siinmaa (1881–1948)
  • Elmar Tampõld (1920–2013)

Business and politics

  • Hardo Aasmäe (1951–2014), geographer, politician, encyclopedist
  • Friedrich Akel (1871–1941), politician, former head of state
  • Andrus Ansip (born 1956), politician, former prime minister
  • Jaan Anvelt (1884–1937), politician
  • Ado Birk (1883–1942), politician
  • Kaarel Eenpalu (Karl Einbund, 1888–1942), politician, former head of state
  • Ene Ergma (born 1944), politician
  • Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie (1622–1686), politician (Sweden)
  • Karoli Hindriks (born 1983), entrepreneur
  • Toomas Hendrik Ilves (born 1953), journalist, politician, former president
  • Ernst Jaakson (1905–1998), diplomat
  • Jüri Jaakson (1870–1942), politician, former head of state
  • Steve Jurvetson (born 1967), businessman (United States)
  • Kaja Kallas (born 1977), politician, former prime minister
  • Siim Kallas (born 1948), politician, former prime minister
  • Carmen Kass (born 1978), supermodel, businesswoman, and politician
  • Tunne Kelam (born 1936), politician
  • Tõnis Kint (1896–1991), politician, prime minister in exile
  • August Koern (1900–1989), diplomat, foreign minister in exile
  • Juhan Kukk (1885–1942), politician, former head of state
  • Mart Laar (born 1960), historian, politician, former prime minister
  • Rein Lang (born 1957), journalist, businessman, politician
  • Robert Lepikson (1952–2006), businessman, politician
  • Elmar Lipping (1906–1994), politician, foreign minister in exile
  • Hjalmar Mäe (1901–1978), politician, head of self-administration during German occupation
  • Tiit Made (born 1940), journalist, politician
  • Linnart Mäll (1938–2010), orientalist, politician
  • Harry Männil (1920–2010), businessman, art collector
  • Heinrich Mark (1911–2004), politician, former prime minister in exile
  • Jaan Manitski (born 1942), businessman, politician, former foreign minister
  • Lennart Meri (1929–2006), writer, filmmaker, foreign minister, president
  • Jüri Mõis (born 1956), businessman, politician
  • Ülo Nugis (1944–2011), politician, economist
  • Kristiina Ojuland (born 1966), politician, former foreign minister
  • Lembit Öpik (born 1965), politician (United Kingdom)
  • Rein Otsason (1931–2004), economist, businessman
  • Siiri Oviir (born 1947), politician
  • Ivari Padar (born 1965), politician
  • Tõnis Palts (born 1953), politician, businessman
  • Sir Arvi Parbo (1926–2019), businessman (Australia)
  • Juhan Parts (born 1966), politician, former prime minister
  • Leida Peips (born 1937), milker and political figure
  • Ants Piip (1885-1942), politician, former head of state
  • Jüri Pihl (1954-2019), politician
  • Konstantin Päts (1874–1956), journalist, politician, first president of Estonia
  • Jaan Poska (1866–1920), diplomat, politician
  • Jüri Ratas (born 1978), politician, former prime minister
  • August Rei (1886–1963), diplomat, politician, former head of state, prime minister in exile
  • Alfred Rosenberg (1893–1946), politician, ideologist, war criminal (Nazi Germany)
  • Arnold Rüütel (born 1928), agricultural manager, politician, former president
  • Edgar Savisaar (born 1950), politician, former prime minister
  • Mart Siimann (born 1946), politician, former prime minister
  • Johannes Sikkar (1897–1960), politician
  • Artur Sirk (1900–1937), officer, lawyer, politician
  • Otto Strandman (1875–1941), politician, former head of state
  • Rein Taagepera (born 1933), political scientist, politician
  • Jaak Tamm (1950–1999), politician
  • Andres Tarand (born 1940), politician, former prime minister
  • Indrek Tarand (born 1964), politician, journalist
  • Enn Tarto (1938–2021), anti-Soviet dissident, politician
  • Otto Tief (1889–1976), military officer, politician
  • Jaan Tõnisson (1868–1941?), journalist, politician
  • Anton Uesson (1879–1942), politician, engineer
  • Jüri Uluots (1890–1945), lawyer, politician
  • Priit Willbach (born 1953), businessman, politician
  • Jüri Vilms (1889–1918), lawyer, politician, first deputy prime minister
  • Tiit Vähi (born 1947), businessman, politician, former prime minister
  • Aleksander Warma (1890–1970), navy officer, diplomat, prime minister in exile

Education and science

  • Julius Aamisepp (1883–1950), agricultural scientist
  • Johannes Aavik (1880–1973), linguist
  • Jüri Allik (born 1949), psychologist
  • Paul Ariste (1905–1990), linguist
  • Karl Ernst von Baer (1792–1876), biologist
  • Girsh Blumberg (born 1959), American - Estonian experimental physicist
  • Karl Ernst Claus (1796–1864), chemist
  • Georg Dehio (1850–1932), art historian
  • Jaan Einasto (born 1929), astrophysicist
  • Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz (1793–1831), entomologist
  • Bengt Gottfried Forselius (c. 1660–1688), founder of public education
  • Johannes Hint (1914–1985), physicist, inventor
  • Jakob Hurt (1839–1906), linguist, collector of folklore
  • Paul Kogerman (1891–1951), chemist
  • Wolfgang Köhler (1887–1967), psychologist
  • Nikolai Köstner (1889–1959), economist, politician
  • Eerik Kumari (1912–1984), ornithologist
  • Helga Kurm (1920–2011), dean of the Tartu State University Pedagogical Division
  • Heinrich Lenz (1804–1865), physicist
  • Elmar Leppik (1898–1978), biologist
  • Otto Liiv (1905–1942), historian, archivist
  • Endel Lippmaa (1930–2015), chemist, physicist, politician
  • Mihhail Lotman (born 1952), semiotician
  • Juri Lotman (1922–1993), semiotician
  • Richard Karlovich Maack (1825–1886), geographer, botanist, Siberian explorer, educator
  • Friedrich Martens (1845–1909), diplomat, international lawyer
  • Viktor Masing (1925–2001), ecologist
  • Harri Moora (1900–1968), archaeologist
  • Ragnar Nurkse (1907–1959), economist
  • Ernst Öpik (1893–1985), astronomer
  • Jaak Panksepp (1943–2017), psychobiologist, neuroscientist (USA)
  • Erast Parmasto (1928–2012), mycologist
  • Georg Friedrich Parrot (1767–1852)
  • Johann Friedrich Parrot (1791–1841), physician, explorer
  • Jaan Puhvel (born 1932), linguist (USA)
  • Ludvig Puusepp (1875–1942), medical scientist, neurosurgeon
  • Riinu Rannap (born 1966), zoologist
  • Georg Wilhelm Richmann (1711–1753), physicist
  • Hillar M. Rootare (1928–2008), chemist
  • Mart Saarma (born 1949), molecular biologist
  • Thomas Seebeck (1770–1831), physicist
  • Otto Wilhelm von Struve (1819–1905), astronomer
  • Svante Pääbo (born 1955), paleogeneticist (Sweden)
  • Eduard von Toll (1858–1902?), geologist, Arctic explorer
  • Endel Tulving (born 1927), psychologist (Canada)
  • Jakob von Uexküll (1864–1944), biologist, semiotician
  • Lauri Vaska (1925–2015), chemist (USA)
  • Mihkel Veske (1843–1890), linguist, poet
  • Gustav Vilbaste (1885–1967), botanist
  • Edgar de Wahl (1867–1948), mathematician, creator of Interlingue

Literature and journalism

  • Artur Adson (1889–1977), poet
  • Artur Alliksaar (1923–1966), poet
  • Betti Alver (1906–1989), poet
  • Elise Aun (1863–1932), poet
  • Johannes Barbarus (1890–1946), poet
  • Nikolai Baturin (1936–2019), writer
  • Aimée Beekman (born 1933), writer
  • Vladimir Beekman (1929–2009), poet, novelist, translator
  • Eduard Bornhöhe (1862–1923), writer
  • Ernst Enno (1875–1934), poet
  • Friedrich Robert Faehlmann (1798–1850), writer, physician
  • August Gailit (1891–1960), writer
  • Ado Grenzstein (1849–1916), journalist
  • Lehte Hainsalu (born 1938), poet, novelist, children's author
  • Indrek Hargla (born 1970), writer, screenwriter
  • Peeter Helme (born 1978), writer, journalist
  • Sass Henno (born 1982), writer
  • Helen Hindpere, writer
  • August Wilhelm Hupel (1737–1819), ecclesiastic writer, ethnologist
  • Ivar Ivask (1927–1992), literary scholar, critic, poet
  • Carl Robert Jakobson (1841–1882), journalist, political activist
  • Johann Voldemar Jannsen (1819–1890), journalist, political activist
  • Lydia Jannsen ("Koidula", 1843–1886), poet
  • Fred Jüssi (born 1935–2024), nature writer, photographer
  • Ain Kaalep (1926–2020), poet
  • Bernard Kangro (1910–1994), poet, writer, journalist
  • Jaan Kaplinski (1941–2021), writer, journalist, politician
  • Doris Kareva (born 1958), poet
  • Urve Karuks (1936–2015), Canadian-Estonian poet and translator
  • Kaur Kender (born 1971), writer
  • August Kitzberg (1855–1927), writer
  • Albert Kivikas (1898–1978), writer
  • Andrus Kivirähk (born 1970), writer
  • Madis Kõiv (1929–2014), author, physicist and philosopher
  • Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882), writer, author of national epic, physician
  • Jaan Kross (1920–2007), writer
  • Kalle Kurg (born 1942), poet, writer, critic, translator
  • Paul Kuusberg (1916–2003), writer
  • Kalle Lasn (born 1942), magazine editor, film maker, activist (Canada)
  • Kalju Lepik (1920–1999), poet
  • Juhan Liiv (1864–1913), poet, writer
  • Martin Lipp (1854–1923), poet
  • Viivi Luik (born 1946), poet
  • Oskar Luts (1887–1953), writer
  • Iko Maran (1915–1999), writer
  • Otto Wilhelm Masing (1763–1862), pastor, philologist, journalist
  • Uku Masing (1909–1985), poet, theologian, ethnologist
  • Lennart Meri (1929–2006), writer, politician
  • Kersti Merilaas (1913–1986), poet, playwright
  • Mait Metsanurk (1879–1957), writer
  • Mihkel Mutt (born 1953), writer, critic
  • August Mälk (1900–1987), writer
  • Ellen Niit (1928–2016), children's writer, poet and translator
  • Minni Nurme (1917–1994), writer and poet
  • Tõnu Õnnepalu ("Emil Tode", born 1962), writer
  • Ants Oras (1900–1982), writer and translator
  • Eeva Park (born 1950), writer and poet
  • Aino Pervik (1932–2025), children's writer and translator
  • Kristjan Jaak Peterson (1801–1822), poet
  • Lilli Promet (1922–2007), writer
  • Eno Raud (1928–1996), children's book author
  • Mart Raud (1903–1980), writer
  • Hugo Raudsepp (1883–1952), playwright
  • Karl Ristikivi (1912–1977), writer, poet
  • Aarne Ruben (born 1971), writer
  • Paul-Eerik Rummo (born 1942), poet, politician
  • Balthasar Russow (c. 1536–1600), chronicler
  • Peeter Sauter (born 1962), writer
  • Johannes Semper (1892–1970), writer, poet
  • Juhan Smuul (1922–1971), writer, poet
  • Gustav Suits (1883–1956), poet
  • Heiti Talvik (1904–1947), poet
  • Harald Tammer (1899–1942), journalist
  • A. H. Tammsaare (1878–1940), writer
  • Mats Traat (born 1936), author, poet
  • Tõnu Trubetsky (born 1963), writer, musician, film director
  • Friedebert Tuglas (1886–1971), writer, critic, literary scholar
  • Marie Under (1883–1980), poet
  • Mati Unt (1944–2005), writer, stage director
  • Jaak Urmet ("Wimberg"; born 1979), journalist, poet
  • Edgar Valter (1929–2006), writer, artist
  • Arvo Valton (born 1935), writer
  • Priit Vesilind (born 1943), journalist, photographer, author (United States)
  • Enn Vetemaa (born 1936), writer
  • Juhan Viiding ("Jüri Üdi", 1948–1995), poet, actor
  • Paul Viiding (1904–1962), poet
  • Eduard Vilde (1865–1933), writer, journalist
  • Heiki Vilep (born 1960), writer
  • Henrik Visnapuu (1890–1951), poet, journalist
  • Gero von Wilpert (1933–2009), writer
  • Hella Wuolijoki (1886–1954), writer, politician (Finland)

Military and seafaring

  • Avdy Andresson (1899–1990), minister of war in exile
  • Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (1778–1852), geographer, navigator, admiral
  • Alexander von Benckendorff (1783–1844), general, politician
  • Konstantin von Benckendorff (1785–1828), general, diplomat
  • Herbert Brede (1888–1942), general
  • Aleksander Einseln (1931–2017), general, commander of defence forces
  • Jacob De la Gardie (1583–1652), officer, statesman
  • Otto Heinze (1877–1968), general
  • Nikolai Helk (1885–1942), general
  • Aleksander Jaakson (1892–1942), general, statesman
  • Martin Jervan (1891–1942), general
  • Otto von Kotzebue (1787–1846), geographer, navigator
  • Tarmo Kõuts (born 1953), admiral, politician
  • Adam Johann von Krusenstern (1770–1846), geographer, navigator
  • Julius Kuperjanov (1894–1919), officer
  • Ants Laaneots (born 1948), general
  • Johan Laidoner (1884–1953), general, politician
  • Andres Larka (1879–1942), general, politician
  • Hans Leesment (1873–1944), general
  • Lembitu of Lehola (died 1217), tribal elder, military commander
  • Andres Nuiamäe (1982–2004), first Estonian soldier killed in action in Iraq
  • Karl Parts (1886–1941), officer
  • Johan Pitka (1872–1944?), admiral, politician
  • Ernst Põdder (1879–1932), general
  • Viktor Puskar (1889–1943), officer
  • Alfons Rebane (1908–1976), officer, intelligence operative
  • Nikolai Reek (1890–1942), general
  • Harald Riipalu (1912–1961), officer
  • Paul Maitla (1913–1945), officer
  • Harald Nugiseks (1921–2014), officer
  • August Sabbe (1909–1978), anti-Soviet armed resistance fighter
  • Jaan Soots (1880–1942), general
  • Aleksander Tõnisson (1875–1941), general
  • Jaan Usin (1887–1941), navy officer, commander of the Peipsi flotilla
  • Ferdinand von Wrangel (1796–1870), Arctic explorer

Music

  • Evald Aav (1900–1939), composer, choir conductor
  • Juhan Aavik (1884–1982), composer, conductor
  • Urmas Alender (1953–1994), pop musician
  • Olav Ehala (born 1950), composer
  • Heino Eller (1887–1970), composer
  • Olari Elts (born 1971), conductor
  • Gustav Ernesaks (1908–1993), composer, conductor
  • Eda-Ines Etti ("Ines", born 1981), pop musician
  • Meelika Hainsoo (born 1979) folk singer, musician
  • Miina Härma (1864–1941), composer, conductor
  • Maarja-Liis Ilus ("Maarja", born 1980), pop musician
  • Getter Jaani (born 1993), singer, actress
  • Neeme Järvi (born 1937), conductor
  • Paavo Järvi (born 1962), conductor
  • Piret Järvis (born 1984), rock musician
  • Joonatan Jürgenson (born 1991), classical pianist
  • Artur Kapp (1878–1952), composer
  • Eugen Kapp (1908–1996), composer
  • Tõnu Kaljuste (born 1953), conductor
  • Mari Kalkun (born 1986), folk singer
  • Paul Kostabi (born 1962), musician
  • Maarja Kivi ("Marya Roxx", born 1986), rock/metal musician
  • Triinu Kivilaan (born 1989), model, pop/rock musician
  • Eri Klas (1939–2016), conductor
  • Kerli Kõiv ("Kerli", born 1987), musician, songwriter
  • Cyrillus Kreek (1889–1962), composer
  • Lenna Kuurmaa (born 1985), rock musician
  • Heli Lääts (1932–2018), singer
  • Käbi Laretei (1922–2014), pianist, composer, writer
  • Artur Lemba (1885–1963), pianist, composer
  • Ott Lepland (born 1987), singer, actor
  • Ivo Linna (born 1949), singer, pop musician
  • Uno Loop (1930–2021), singer, musician, athlete, actor, educator
  • Mihkel Lüdig (1880–1958) composer, organist, choir conductor
  • Ester Mägi (1922–2021), composer
  • Tõnis Mägi (born 1948), singer, pop musician
  • Alo Mattiisen (1961–1996), composer
  • Maria Minerva (born 1988), experimental musician
  • Sandra Nurmsalu (born 1988), singer
  • Maarja Nuut (born 1986), singer and violinist
  • Birgit Õigemeel (born 1988), singer
  • Georg Ots (1920–1975), opera singer
  • Tanel Padar (born 1980), pop musician
  • Rene Pais ("Syn Cole", born 1988), DJ, record producer
  • Arvo Pärt (born 1935), composer
  • Annely Peebo (born 1971), opera singer
  • Kristiina Poska (born 1978), conductor
  • Jaan Rääts (1932–2020), composer
  • Kalle Randalu (born 1955), pianist
  • Rein Rannap (born 1953), composer, pianist
  • Vardo Rumessen (born 1942), pianist, politician
  • Mart Saar (1882–1963), composer
  • Evelin Samuel (born 1975), pop musician
  • Mart Sander (born 1967), singer, actor
  • Urmas Sisask (born 1960), composer
  • Katrin Siska (born 1983), rock musician
  • Eduard Sõrmus (1878–1940), violinist
  • Lepo Sumera (1950–2000), composer
  • Eeva Talsi (born 1988), folk musician
  • Eino Tamberg (1930–2010), composer
  • Tomas Tammemets ("Tommy Cash", born 1991), singer, visual artist
  • Kalmer Tennosaar (1928–2004), singer, TV journalist
  • Rudolf Tobias (1873–1918), composer
  • Helen Tobias-Duesberg (1919–2010), composer
  • Kärt Tomingas (1967–2025), actress, singer-songwriter
  • Koit Toome (born 1979), pop musician
  • Veljo Tormis (1930–2017), composer
  • Tõnu Trubetsky (born 1963), singer, composer, writer
  • Eduard Tubin (1905–1982), composer
  • Erkki-Sven Tüür (born 1959), composer
  • Raimond Valgre (1913–1949), composer
  • Iiris Vesik (born 1991), musician
  • Anne Veski (born 1956), pop musician
  • Asta Vihandi (1929–1993), opera singer, actress
  • Vello Viisimaa (1928–1991), singer, actor

Performing arts

  • Argo Aadli (born 1980), actor
  • Ott Aardam (born 1980), actor
  • Tõnu Aav (1939–2019), actor
  • Eino Baskin (1929–2015), actor and director
  • Taavi Eelmaa (born 1971), actor
  • Herta Elviste (1923–2015), actress
  • Ants Eskola (1908–1989), actor
  • Ita Ever (born 1931), actress
  • Viiu Härm (born 1944), actress, poet
  • Kersti Heinloo (born 1976), actress
  • Evald Hermaküla (1941–2000), actor and director
  • Tanel Ingi (born 1976), actor
  • Jüri Järvet (1919–1995), actor
  • Ülle Kaljuste (born 1957), actress
  • Tõnu Kark (born 1947), actor
  • Volli Käro (born 1940), actor
  • Carmen Kass (born 1978), supermodel
  • Kaljo Kiisk (1925–2007), actor, film director and politician
  • Miliza Korjus (1909–1980), opera singer, film actress
  • Hele Kõrve (born 1980), actress, singer
  • Risto Kübar (born 1983), actor
  • Tiiu Kuik (born 1987), model
  • Betty Kuuskemaa (1879–1966), actress
  • Lia Laats (1926–2004), actress
  • Lauri Lagle (born 1981), actor, director, screenwriter
  • Silvia Laidla (1927–2012), actress
  • Anu Lamp (born 1958), actress and director
  • Kai Leete (1910–1995), ballet and folk dancer
  • Astrid Lepa (1924–2015), actress and director
  • Tiit Lilleorg (born 1941), actor
  • Raine Loo (1945–2020), actress
  • Aksella Luts (1905–2005), actress, screenwriter
  • Ain Lutsepp (born 1954), actor and politician
  • Theodor Luts (1896–1980), director and cinematographer
  • Ain Mäeots (born 1971), actor, director, producer
  • Laine Mägi (born 1959), actress and choreographer
  • Mait Malmsten (born 1972), actor
  • Heino Mandri (1922–1990), actor
  • Konstantin Märska (1896–1951), cinematographer
  • Marko Matvere (born 1968), actor
  • Laine Mesikäpp (1917–2012), actress, singer, folk song collector
  • Mikk Mikiver (1937–2006), stage director, actor
  • Ornella Muti (born 1955), film actress (Italy)
  • Gerd Neggo (1891–1974), dancer, choreographer
  • Ester Pajusoo (born 1934), actress
  • Paul Pinna (1884–1949), actor, stage director
  • Mirtel Pohla (born 1982), actress
  • Salme Poopuu (1939–2017), actress, filmmaker
  • Erik Norkroos (born 1969), cinematographer, producer, editor and director
  • Kalju Orro (born 1952), actor
  • Priit Pärn (born 1946), animated film maker, graphic artist
  • Leida Rammo (1924–2020), actress
  • Elsa Ratassepp (1893–1972), actress
  • Tõnis Rätsep (born 1947), actor, singer, educator, poet, playwright and author
  • Evi Rauer (1915–2004), actress
  • Salme Reek (1907–1996), actress
  • Enn Reitel (born 1950), film actor (UK)
  • Jaan Rekkor (1958), actor
  • Moonika Siimets (born 1980), film director
  • Meeli Sööt (born 1937), actress
  • Eero Spriit (born 1949), actor and producer
  • Arno Suurorg (1903–1960), actor
  • Mena Suvari (born 1979), actress (USA)
  • Aino Talvi (1909–1992), actress
  • Kärt Tomingas (born 1967), actress, singer
  • Tanel Toom (born 1982), Oscar-nominated film director and screenwriter
  • Jaan Tooming (born 1946), actor, theatre and film director and writer
  • Aarne Üksküla (1937–2017), actor
  • Lembit Ulfsak (1947–2017), actor
  • Olli Ungvere (1906–1991), actress and singer
  • Katariina Unt (born 1971), actress
  • Ivo Uukkivi (born 1965), actor and musician
  • Jan Uuspõld (born 1973), actor, musician
  • Viire Valdma (born 1960), actress
  • Ragne Veensalu (born 1986), actress
  • Kullar Viimne (born 1980), film director and cinematographer
  • Evelin Võigemast (born 1980), actress, singer
  • Priit Võigemast (born 1980), actor

Religion

  • Herman (Aav) (1878–1961), head of Finnish Orthodox Church
  • Jaan Kiivit, Jr (1940–2005), archbishop
  • Jaan Kiivit, Sr (1906–1971), archbishop
  • Jakob Kukk (1870–1933), bishop
  • Johan Kõpp (1874–1970), bishop and archbishop
  • Juhan Leinberg (1812–1885), founder of a religious sect (the Maltsvetians)
  • Kuno Pajula (1924–2012), archbishop
  • Andres Põder (born 1949), archbishop
  • Hugo Rahamägi (1886–1941), bishop
  • Alexey Ridiger (Patriarch Alexius II, 1929–2008), head of Orthodox Church (Russia)
  • Arthur Võõbus (1909–1988), theologian, orientalist, church historian

Sport

  • Moonika Aava (born 1979), javelin thrower
  • Arvi Aavik (born 1969), wrestler
  • Aleksander Aberg (1881–1920), wrestler
  • Friedrich Amelung (1842–1909), chess player
  • Maret Ani (born 1982), tennis player
  • Ants Antson (1938–2015), speedskater, Olympic medalist
  • Paul Aron (born 2004), racing driver
  • Ralf Aron (born 1998), racing driver
  • Marko Asmer (born 1984), racing driver
  • Lauri Aus (1970–2003), cyclist
  • Aleksei Budõlin (born 1976), judoka, Olympic medalist
  • Toomas Edur (born 1954), NHL hockey player
  • Jaan Ehlvest (born 1962), chess player
  • Eduard Ellman-Eelma (1902–1943), football player
  • August Englas (1925–2017), wrestler
  • Gunnar Friedemann (1909–1943), chess player
  • Jüri Jaanson (born 1965), rower, Olympic medalist
  • Georg Hackenschmidt (1878–1968), wrestler
  • Helger Hallik (born 1972), wrestler
  • Kaido Höövelson ("Baruto Kaito"; born 1984), sumo wrestler
  • Margus Hunt (born 1987), former discus thrower, former shot putter, American football player
  • Elvy Kalep (1899–1989), aviator
  • Kaia Kanepi (born 1985), tennis player
  • Meelis Kanep (born 1983), chess grandmaster
  • Gerd Kanter (born 1979), discus thrower, Olympic medalist
  • Osvald Käpp (1905–1995), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Paul Keres (1916–1975), chess player
  • Lionel Kieseritzky (1806–1853), chess player
  • Jaan Kikkas (1892–1944), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Jaan Kirsipuu (born 1969), cyclist
  • Martin Klein (1884–1947), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Aleksander Klumberg (1899–1958), decathlete, Olympic medalist
  • Leo Komarov (born 1987), ice hockey player
  • Anett Kontaveit (born 1995), tennis player
  • Robin Kool ("ropz", born 1999), professional esports (Counter-Strike 2) player
  • Anton Koolmann (1899–1953), wrestler
  • Johannes Kotkas (1915–1998), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Albert Kusnets (1902–1942), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Marko Kristal (born 1973), football player
  • Leho Laurine (1904–1998), chess player
  • Tanel Leok (born 1985), motocross rider
  • Siim Liivik (born 1988), ice hockey player
  • Joel Lindpere (born 1981), footballer
  • Heino Lipp (1922–2006), decathlete
  • Jüri Lossmann (1891–1984), long distance runner, Olympic medalist
  • Arnold Luhaäär (1905–1965), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Georg Lurich (1876–1920), wrestler
  • Epp Mäe (born 1992), wrestler
  • Jaak Mae (born 1972), skier, Olympic medalist
  • Markko Märtin (born 1975), rally driver
  • Tarmo Mitt (born 1977), World Strong Man
  • Martin Müürsepp (born 1974), basketball player
  • Heiki Nabi (born 1985), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Iivo Nei (born 1931), chess player
  • August Neo (1908–1982), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Alfred Neuland (1895–1966), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Erki Nool (born 1970), decathlete, Olympic medalist
  • Mati Nuude (1941–2001), weightlifter and singer
  • Tõnu Õim (born 1941), chess player
  • Lembit Oll (1966–1999), chess player
  • Andres Oper (born 1977), football player
  • Kristjan Palusalu (1908–1987), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Indrek Pertelson (born 1971), judoka, Olympic medalist
  • Mart Poom (born 1972), football player
  • Eduard Pütsep (1898–1960), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Kristjan Rahnu (born 1979), decathlete
  • Ilmar Raud (1913–1941), chess player
  • Michael Roos (Mihkel Roos, born 1982), American football player
  • Salme Rootare (1913–1987), chess player
  • Vidrik Rootare (c. 1900–1985), chess player
  • Sven Salumaa (born 1966), tennis player
  • Erika Salumäe (born 1962), cyclist, Olympic medalist
  • Jane Salumäe (born 1968), marathon runner
  • Ortvin Sarapu (1924–1999), chess player (New Zealand)
  • Roman Steinberg (1900–1928), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Alfred Schmidt (1898–1972), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Paul Felix Schmidt (1916–1984), chess player
  • Aleksandr Selevko (born 2001), figure skater
  • Mihhail Selevko (born 2002), figure skater
  • Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (born 1977), skier, Olympic medalist
  • Tiit Sokk (born 1964), basketball player (1988 Olympic gold medalist for USSR)
  • Yuval Spungin (born 1987), Israeli footballer
  • Nikolai Stepulov (1913–1968), boxer, Olympic medalist
  • Toivo Suursoo (born 1975), ice hockey player
  • Jaan Talts (born 1944), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Harald Tammer (1899–1942), journalist, athlete, weightlifter, Olympic medalist
  • Aleksander Tammert (born 1973), discus thrower, Olympic medalist
  • Ott Tänak (born 1987), rally driver
  • Jüri Tarmak (born 1946), high jumper, Olympic medalist
  • Kristin Tattar (born 1992), World Champion disc golfer
  • Tõnu Tõniste (born 1967), yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
  • Toomas Tõniste (born 1967), yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
  • Johannes Türn (1898–1993), chess player
  • Voldemar Väli (1903–1997), wrestler, Olympic medalist
  • Andrus Värnik (born 1977), javelin thrower
  • Andrus Veerpalu (born 1971), skier, Olympic medalist
  • Siim-Sander Vene (born 1990), basketball player

Visual arts

  • Priidu Aavik (1905–1991), painter
  • Amandus Adamson (1855–1929), sculptor
  • Adamson-Eric (Erich Adamson, 1902–1968), painter
  • Ellinor Aiki (1893–1969), painter
  • Arnold Akberg (1894–1984), painter
  • Peeter Allik (1966–2019), painter, black and white artist
  • Efraim Allsalu (1929–2006), painter
  • Jüri Arrak (1936–2022), painter
  • Alfred Hirv (1880–1918), painter
  • Raivo Järvi (1954–2012), illustrator, politician
  • Mati Karmin (born 1959), sculptor
  • Elmar Kits (1913–1972), painter
  • Johann Köler (1826–1899), painter
  • Andres Koort (born 1969), painter and scenographer
  • Mark Kostabi (Kalev Mark Kostabi, born 1960), painter (United States)
  • Meeli Kõiva (born 1960), painter, installation and light artist, sculptor, cinematographer, producer and film director (Finland, United States)
  • Ants Laikmaa (1866–1943), painter
  • Leonhard Lapin (1947–2022), graphic, painter, sculptor, architect
  • Ivo Lill (1953–2019), glass artist
  • Olav Maran (born 1933), artist
  • Marko Mäetamm (born 1965), painter
  • Konrad Mägi (1878–1925), painter
  • Kadri Mälk (born 1958), jewelry artist
  • Lydia Mei (1896–1965), painter
  • Natalie Mei (1900–1975), painter
  • Juhan Muks (1899–1983), painter
  • Evald Okas (1915–2011), painter
  • Eduard Ole (1898–1995), painter
  • Ludvig Oskar (1874–1951), painter
  • Ülo Õun (1940–1988), sculptor
  • Tiit Pääsuke (born 1941), painter
  • Karl Pärsimägi (1902–1942), painter
  • Kaljo Põllu (1934–2010), painter, graphic artist
  • Kristjan Raud (1865–1943), graphic artist
  • Paul Raud (1865–1930), painter
  • Enn Roos (1908–1990), sculptor
  • Endel Ruberg (1917–1989), artist, educator
  • Richard Sagrits (1910–1968), painter
  • Michel Sittow (1469–1525), painter
  • Ülo Sooster (1924–1970), painter
  • Anton Starkopf (1889–1966), sculptor
  • Aleksander Tassa (1882–1955), artist and writer
  • Jaan Toomik (born 1961), painter
  • Nikolai Triik (1884–1940), painter
  • Teodor Ussisoo (1878–1959), furniture designer
  • Helge Uuetoa (1936–2008), painter
  • Aleksander Uurits (1888–1918), painter, graphic artist
  • Ado Vabbe (1892–1961), painter
  • Kuno Veeber (1898–1929), painter
  • Edmund S. Valtman (1914–2005), cartoonist (USA)
  • Annes Varjun (1907–1986), ceramic artist
  • Eduard Viiralt ("Eduard Wiiralt", 1898–1954), graphic artist
  • Kiino Villand (born 1969), photographer (USA)
  • Ilon Wikland (born 1930), illustrator (Sweden)

Other

  • Mari Raamot (1872–1966), activist

See also

  • 100 great Estonians of the 20th century