List of Estonians

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

Architects

Main article: List of Estonian 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
• Andrus Ansip (born 1956), politician, former prime minister
• Jaan Anvelt (1884–1937), politician
• Ado Birk (1883–1942), politician
• Ivi Eenmaa (born 1943), librarian and politician
• Kaarel Eenpalu (Karl Einbund, 1888–1942), politician
• 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
• Steve Jurvetson (born 1967), businessman (United States)
• Kaja Kallas (born 1977), politician, prime minister (since 2021)
• 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
• Eerik-Niiles Kross (born 1967), diplomat, politician
• Mart Laar (born 1960), historian, politician, former prime minister
• Rein Lang (born 1957), journalist, businessman, politician
• Robert Lepikson (1952–2006), businessman, politician
• Peeter Lepp (born 1943), politician
• Jürgen Ligi (born 1959), 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
• Keit Pentus (born 1976), politician
• Hanno Pevkur (born 1977), politician
• Jüri Pihl (born 1954), politician
• Konstantin Päts (1874–1956), journalist, politician, first president of Estonia
• Jaan Poska (1866–1920), diplomat, politician
• Valdo Randpere (born 1958), businessman, musician
• August Rei (1886–1963), diplomat, politician, prime minister head of state
• Alfred Rosenberg (1893–1946), politician, ideologist, war criminal (Nazi Germany)
• Arnold Rüütel (born 1928), agricultural manager, politician, former president
• Edgar V. Saks (1910–1984), statesman, historian, author
• Edgar Savisaar (born 1950), politician, former prime minister
• Johannes Sikkar (1897–1960), politician
• Artur Sirk (1900–1937), officer, lawyer, politician
• Otto Strandman (1875–1941), politician, prime minister, head of state
• Rein Taagepera (born 1933), political scientist, politician
• Jaak Tamm (1950–1999), politician
• Alexei Tammet-Romanov (1935–1977), Romanov impostor
• 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
• Toomas Vilosius (born 1951), physician, politician
• Tiit Vähi (born 1947), businessman, politician, former prime minister
• Aleksander Warma (1890–1970), navy officer, diplomat, prime minister in exile

Education and science

Main article: List of Estonian scientists

See also: List of Estonian entomologists

• 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
• 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
• 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
• Fred Jüssi (born 1935), journalist, champion of wildlife
• Ain Kaalep (1926–2020), poet
• Bernard Kangro (1910–1994), poet, writer, journalist
• Jaan Kaplinski (1941–2021), writer, journalist, politician
• Doris Kareva (born 1958), poet
• Kaur Kender (born 1971), writer
• August Kitzberg (1855–1927), writer
• Albert Kivikas (1898–1978), writer
• Andrus Kivirähk (born 1970), writer
• Lydia Koidula (Lydia Jannsen, 1843–1886), poet
• Madis Kõiv (1929–2014), author, physicist and philosopher
• Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882), physician, writer, author of national epic
• Jaan Kross (1920–2007), writer
• Kalle Kurg (born 1942), poet, writer, critic, translator
• Paul Kuusberg (1916–2003), writer
• Kalle Lasn (born 1942), founder of Adbusters magazine
• 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 (aka Emil Tode, born 1962), writer
• Ants Oras (1900–1982), writer and translator
• Eeva Park (born 1950), writer and poet
• Aino Pervik (born 1932), children's author
• 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
• 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 (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
• Wimberg (Jaak Urmet; born 1979), journalist, poet
• 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

See also: List of Estonian composers

• 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
• Miina Härma (1864–1941), composer, conductor
• Maarja-Liis Ilus ("Maarja", born 1980), pop musician
• Johann Voldemar Jannsen (1819–1890), conductor, journalist
• 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 (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
• Getter Jaani (born 1993), singer, actress
• 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
• Eino Tamberg (1930–2010), composer
• Kalmer Tennosaar (1928–2004), singer, TV journalist
• Rudolf Tobias (1873–1918), composer
• Helen Tobias-Duesberg (1919–2010), composer
• Kärt Tomingas (born 1967), 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
• Anne Veski (born 1956), pop musician
• Asta Vihandi (1929–1993), opera singer, actress
• Vello Viisimaa (1928–1991), singer, actor
• Tommy Cash (rapper) (born 1991), rapper

Performing arts

Main article: List of Estonian actors

• Argo Aadli (born 1980), actor
• Ott Aardam (born 1980), actor
• Tõnu Aav (1939–2019), actor
• Eino Baskin (1929–2015)
• 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
• 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
• Juhan Leinberg (1812–1885), founder of a religious sect (the Maltsvetians)
• Kuno Pajula (1924–2012), archbishop
• Andres Põder (born 1949), archbishop
• Alexey Ridiger (Patriarch Alexius II, 1929–2008), head of Orthodox Church (Russia)
• Arthur Võõbus (1909–1988), theologian, orientalist, church historian

Sport

• Paul Aron (Born 2004) racing driver,
• Ralf Aron Racing driver (born 1998),
• 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
• 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
• 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 for New York Red Bulls and the Estonian National Team
• 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
• 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), Estonian basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League

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