List of Estonians

This is a list of notable Estonians.

Architects

• Andres Alver (born 1953)
• Dmitri Bruns (born 1929)
• Karl Burman (1882–1965)
• Madis Eek (born 1966)
• 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)
• Leonhard Lapin (born 1947)
• Elmar Lohk (1901–1963)
• Margit Mutso (born 1966)
• Robert Natus (1890–1950)
• Uno Prii (1924–2000)
• Raivo Puusepp (born 1960)
• Jacques Rosenbaum (1878–1943)
• 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
• 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)
• Toomas Hendrik Ilves (born 1953), journalist, politician, president
• Ernst Jaakson (1905–1998), diplomat
• Steve Jurvetson (born 1967), businessman (United States)
• Siim Kallas (born 1948), politician
• Carmen Kass (born 1978), supermodel, chess players, businesswoman, film actress and politician.
• Tunne Kelam (born 1936), politician
• Tõnis Kint (1896–1991), politician
• Mihkel Klaassen (1880–1952), State judge
• August Koern (1900–1989), politician and diplomat
• Eerik-Niiles Kross (born 1967), diplomat and politician.
• Mart Laar (born 1960), politician, historian
• 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
• Hjalmar Mäe (1901–1978), politician
• Linnart Mäll (1938–2010), orientalist, politician
• Harry Männil (1920–2010), businessman, art collector
• Heinrich Mark (1911–2004), politician
• Jaan Manitski (born 1942), businessman, politician
• Maret Maripuu (born 1974), politician
• Lennart Meri (1929–2006), writer, filmmaker, president
• Jüri Mõis (born 1956), businessman, politician
• Aarni Neuvonen (20th century), employment fraudster
• Kristiina Ojuland (born 1966), politician
• 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 (born 1926), businessman (Australia)
• Juhan Parts (born 1966), politician
• Keit Pentus (born 1976), politician
• Hanno Pevkur (born 1977), politician
• Jüri Pihl (born 1954), politician
• Konstantin Päts (1874–1956), journalist, politician, former president
• Jaan Poska (1866–1920), diplomat, politician
• Valdo Randpere (born 1958), businessman, musician
• August Rei (1886–1963), politician, diplomat
• Alfred Rosenberg (1893–1946), politician, ideologist (Germany)
• Arnold Rüütel (born 1928), agricultural manager, politician, president
• Edgar V. Saks (1910–1984), statesman, historian and author
• Edgar Savisaar (born 1950), politician
• Johannes Sikkar (1897–1960), politician
• Artur Sirk (1900–1937), officer, lawyer, politician
• Otto Strandman (1875–1941), politician
• Rein Taagepera (born 1933), political scientist, politician
• Jaak Tamm (1950–1999), politician
• Alexei Tammet-Romanov (died 1977), Romanov impostor
• Andres Tarand (born 1940), politician
• Indrek Tarand (born 1964), politician, historian, journalist
• Enn Tarto (born 1938), dissident, politician
• Otto Tief (1889–1976), military officer, politician
• Jaan Tõnisson (1868–1941?/unknown), journalist, politician
• Anton Uesson (1879–1942), politician, engineer
• Jüri Uluots (1890–1945), lawyer, politician
• Aleksander Warma (1890–1970), navy officer, politician
• Priit Vilba (born 1953), businessman, politician
• Jüri Vilms (1889–1918), lawyer, politician
• Toomas Vilosius (born 1951), physician, politician
• Tiit Vähi (born 1947), businessman, politician

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 (ethnic German)
• Girsh Blumberg (born 1959), American - Estonian - experimental physicist
• Ahto Buldas (born 1967), computer scientist, cryptographer
• Karl Ernst Claus (1796–1864), chemist (ethnic German)
• Georg Dehio (1850–1932), art historian (ethnic German)
• Jaan Einasto (born 1929), astrophysicist
• Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz (1793–1831), entomologist (ethnic German)
• Bengt Gottfried Forselius (c. 1660–1688), founder of public education
• Johannes Hint (1914–1985), physicist, inventor
• Karl Abraham Hunnius (1797–1851), medical doctor (ethnic German)
• Jakob Hurt (1839–1906), linguist, collector of folklore
• Edgar Kant (1902–1978), geographer
• Andres Kasekamp (born 1966), historian
• Rainer Kattel (born 1974), innovation scholar, political philosopher
• Juri Kaude (born 1921), radiologist
• Paul Kogerman (1891–1951), chemist
• Wolfgang Köhler (1887–1967), psychologist (ethnic German)
• Ilmar Koppel (born 1940), chemist
• Nikolai Köstner (1889–1959), economist, politician
• Eerik Kumari (1912–1984), ornithologist
• Heinrich Lenz (1804–1865), physicist (ethnic German)
• Elmar Leppik (1898–1978), biologist
• Otto Liiv (1905–1942), historian, archivist
• Endel Lippmaa (1930–2015), chemist, physicist, politician
• Mihhail Lotman (born 1952), semiotician (Jewish)
• Yuri Lotman (1922–1993), semiotician (Jewish)
• Richard Karlovich Maack (1825–1886), geographer, botanist, Siberian explorer, educator
• Sulev Mäeltsemees (born 1947), public administration theorist
• Friedrich Martens (1845–1909), diplomat, international lawyer
• Viktor Masing (1925–2001), ecologist
• Harri Moora (1900–1968), archaeologist
• Julia Nosov (born 1982), economist
• Ragnar Nurkse (1907–1959), economist
• Pent Nurmekund (1905–1997), linguist
• Ernst Öpik (1893–1985), astronomer
• Karl Orviku (1903–1981), geologist
• Jaak Panksepp (born 1943), psychologist, ethologist, neuroscientist
• Erast Parmasto (1928–2012), mycologist
• Georg Friedrich Parrot (1767–1852)
• Johann Friedrich Parrot (1791–1841), physician, explorer
• Johannes Piiper (1882–1973), zoologist
• Jaan Puhvel (born 1932), linguist
• Ludvig Puusepp (1875–1942), medical scientist, neurosurgeon
• Gustav Ränk (1902–1998), ethnologist
• Anto Raukas (born 1935), geologist
• Georg Wilhelm Richmann (1711–1753), physicist
• Hillar M. Rootare (1928–2008), chemist
• Mart Saarma (born 1949), molecular biologist
• Thomas Seebeck (1770–1831), physicist
• Raivo Stern (born 1963), physicist
• Otto Wilhelm von Struve (1819–1905), astronomer (ethnic German)
• Svante Pääbo (born 1955), paleogeneticist (Sweden, Germany)
• Eduard von Toll (1858–1902?), geologist, Arctic explorer
• Endel Tulving (born 1927), psychologist
• Jakob von Uexküll (1864–1944), biologist, semiotician (ethnic German)
• Voldemar Vaga (1899–1999), art historian
• Lauri Vaska (born 1925), chemist (USA)
• Mihkel Veske (1843–1890), linguist, poet
• Gustav Vilbaste (1885–1967), botanist
• Edgar de Wahl (Edgar von Wahl, 1867–1948), teacher, creator of Interlingue

Literature and journalism

• Valmar Adams (1899–1993), poet, literary scholar
• Artur Adson (1889–1977), poet
• Artur Alliksaar (1923–1966), poet
• Betti Alver (1906–1989), poet
• Johannes Barbarus (1890–1946), poet
• Nikolai Baturin (born 1936), 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
• Anna Haava (1864–1957), poet
• Gert Helbemäe (1913–1974), writer
• Sass Henno (born 1982), writer
• Aadu Hint (1910–1989), 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 (born 1926), poet
• Bernard Kangro (1910–1994), poet, writer, journalist
• Kalju Kangur (1925–1989), poet
• Jaan Kaplinski (born 1941), writer, journalist, politician
• Doris Kareva (born 1958), poet
• Raimond Kaugver (1926–1992), writer
• Kaur Kender (born 1971), writer
• Enn Kippel (1901–1942), writer
• August Kitzberg (1855–1927), writer
• Albert Kivikas (1898–1978), writer
• Andrus Kivirähk (born 1970), writer
• Sven Kivisildnik (born 1963), writer, journalist
• Johann Koell (died 1540), ecclesiastic writer
• Lydia Koidula (Lydia Jannsen, 1843–1886), poet
• Madis Kõiv (1929–2014), author, physicist and philosopher
• Marcus Kolga (born 1973), political activist, filmmaker, composer, journalist
• Raimond Kolk (1924–1992), poet, writer
• Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882), physician, writer, author of national epic
• Jaan Kross (1920–2007), writer
• Friedrich Kuhlbars (1841–1924), writer
• Ilmar Külvet (1920–2002), writer, journalist, playwright, radio journalist
• Juhan Kunder (1852–1888), writer
• Kalle Kurg (born 1942), poet, writer, critic, translator
• Toomas Kuter (born 1965), writer and singer
• Paul Kuusberg (1916–2003), writer
• Kalle Lasn (born 1942), founder of Adbusters magazine
• Eha Lättemäe (1922–2012), poet
• 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
• Felix Moor (1903–1955), radio journalist
• Mihkel Mutt (born 1953), writer, critic
• August Mälk (1900–1987), writer
• Aleksander Müller (born 1947), poet, musician
• Ellen Niit (born 1928), children's book author
• Minni Nurme (1917-1994), writer and poet
• Tõnu Õnnepalu (aka Emil Tode, born 1962), writer
• Ants Oras (1900–1982), writer and translator
• Julius Oro (Julius Oengo; 1901–1941), poet
• Voldemar Panso (1920–1977)
• Valdo Pant (1928–1976), radio and TV journalist
• Jüri Parijõgi (1892–1941), writer
• Eeva Park (born 1950), writer and poet
• Anti Pathique (Anti Nõmmsalu; born 1966), writer, musician, computer designer
• Juhan Peegel (1919–2007), writer
• Aino Pervik (born 1932), children's book author
• Kristjan Jaak Peterson (1801–1822), poet
• Linnar Priimägi (born 1954)
• Lilli Promet (1922–2007), writer
• Hans Pöögelmann (1875–1938), poet
• Kerttu Rakke (born 1971), 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
• Richard Roht (1891–1950), writer
• Jürgen Rooste, poet, journalist
• Aarne Ruben (born 1971), writer
• Paul-Eerik Rummo (born 1942), poet, politician
• Hando Runnel (born 1938), poet
• Balthasar Russow (c. 1536–1600), chronicler
• Peeter Sauter (born 1962), writer
• Johannes Semper (1892–1970), writer, poet
• Juhan Smuul (1922–1971), writer, poet
• Heinrich Stahl (c. 1600–1657)
• Gustav Suits (1883–1956), poet
• Karl Eduard Sööt (1862–1950), author, poet
• Heiti Talvik (1904–1947), poet
• Harald Tammer (1899–1942), journalist
• Anton Hansen Tammsaare (1878–1940), writer
• Maniakkide Tänav (Agur Karukäpp; born 1976), writer, poet, musician
• Tiia Toomet (born 1947), 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
• Peet Vallak (1893–1959), writer
• 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
• Bernhard Viiding (1932–2001), poet & publicist
• 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), politician
• 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
• Ivar Brok (1977–2008), Estonian Army, killed in action Afghanistan
• Aleksander Einseln (born 1931), general, politician
• 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), guerrilla
• Jaan Soots (1880–1942), general
• Allain Tikko (1979–2009), Estonian Army, killed in action Afghanistan
• Aleksander Tõnisson (1875–1941), general
• Jaan Usin (1887–1941), navy officer, commander of the Peipsi flotilla
• Vesse of Oeselia (died 1344), tribal elder, military commander
• 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
• 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
• Artur Kapp (1878–1952), composer
• Eugen Kapp (1908–1996), composer
• Tõnu Kaljuste (born 1953), conductor
• Paul Kostabi (born 1962), musician
• Maarja Kivi (born 1986), rock/metal musician
• Triinu Kivilaan (born 1989), model, pop/rock musician
• Eri Klas (born 1939), conductor (Jewish)
• Kerli Kõiv ("Kerli", born 1987), musician, songwriter
• Cyrillus Kreek (1889–1962), composer
• Lenna Kuurmaa (born 1985), rock musician
• Käbi Laretei (born 1922), pianist, composer, writer
• Artur Lemba (1885–1963), pianist, composer
• Ott Lepland (born 1987), singer, actor
• Ivo Linna (born 1949), singer, pop musician
• Mihkel Lüdig (1880–1958) composer, organist, choir conductor
• Ester Mägi (born 1922), composer
• Tõnis Mägi (born 1948), singer, pop musician
• Alo Mattiisen (1961–1996), composer
• Getter Jaani (born 1993), singer, actress
• Sandra Nurmsalu (born 1988), singer
• Birgit Õigemeel (born 1988), singer
• Georg Ots (1920–1975), opera singer
• Tanel Padar (born 1980), pop musician
• Arvo Pärt (born 1935), composer
• Annely Peebo (born 1971), opera singer
• Kristiina Poska (born 1978), conductor
• Jaan Rääts (born 1932), 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 (born 1930), composer
• Kalmer Tennosaar (1928–2004), singer, TV journalist
• Rudolf Tobias (1873–1918), composer
• Helen Tobias-Duesberg (1919–2010), composer
• Koit Toome (born 1979), pop musician
• Veljo Tormis (born 1930), 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
• Vello Viisimaa (1928–1991), singer, actor

Performing arts

• Argo Aadli (born 1980), actor
• Ott Aardam (born 1980), actor
• Tõnu Aav (born 1939), actor
• Taavi Eelmaa (born 1971), actor
• Ants Eskola (1908–1989), actor
• Ita Ever (born 1931), actress
• Tanel Ingi (born 1976), actor
• Jüri Järvet (1919–1995), actor
• Ülle Kaljuste (born 1957), actress
• 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
• Risto Kübar (born 1983), actor
• Tiiu Kuik (born 1987), model
• Lauri Lagle (born 1981), actor, director, screenwriter
• Tiit Lilleorg (born 1941), actor
• Aksella Luts (1905–2005), actress, screenwriter
• Ain Lutsepp (born 1954), actor and politican
• Theodor Luts (1896–1980), director, cinematographer
• Laine Mägi (born 1959), actress and choreographer
• Heino Mandri (1922 - 1990), actor
• Konstantin Märska (1896–1951), cinematographer
• Marko Matvere (born 1968), actor
• Mikk Mikiver (1937–2006), stage director, actor
• Ornella Muti (born 1955), film actress (Italy)
• Gerd Neggo (1891-1974), dancer and choreographer
• Ester Pajusoo (born 1934), actress
• Mirtel Pohla (born 1982), actress
• Erik Norkroos (born 1969), cinematographer, producer, editor and director
• Priit Pärn (born 1946), animated film maker, graphic artist
• Enn Reitel (born 1950), film actor (UK)
• Jaanus Silla (born 1969), film director
• Tanel Toom (born 1982), Oscar-nominated film director and screenwriter
• Arno Suurorg (1903-1960), actor
• Mena Suvari (born 1979), actress (USA)
• Lembit Ulfsak (born 1947), actor
• Olli Ungvere (1906-1991), actress and singer
• Katariina Unt (born 1971), actress
• Jan Uuspõld (born 1973), actor, musician
• Kullar Viimne (born 1980), film director and cinematographer

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 (born 1924), archbishop
• Andres Põder (born 1949), archbishop
• Alexey Ridiger (Patriarch Alexius II, 1929–2008), head of Orthodox Church (Russia)

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
• 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 (born 1925), 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
• 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)
• 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
• Jüri Tarmak (born 1946), high jumper, Olympic medalist
• Tõnu Tõniste (born 1967), yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
• Toomas Tõniste (born 1967), yachtsman, businessman, Olympic medalist
• Michael Roos (born 1982), American football player
• 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

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 (born 1966), painter, black and white artist
• Efraim Allsalu (1929–2006), painter
• Jüri Arrak (born 1936), painter
• Alfred Hirv (1880–1918), painter
• Raivo Järvi (1954–2012), illustrator, politician
• Mati Karmin (born 1959), sculptor
• Mari Käbin (born 1958), jewelry artist
• 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), glass artist
• Ants Laikmaa (1866–1943), painter
• Leonhard Lapin (born 1947), graphic, painter, sculptor, architect
• Ivo Lill (born 1953), glass 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 (born 1915), painter
• Eduard Ole (1898–1995), painter
• Ludvig Oskar (1874–1951), painter
• Tiit Pääsuke (born 1941), painter
• Karl Pärsimägi (1902-1942), painter
• Kaljo Põllu (born 1934), 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
• 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
• Edmund S. Valtman (1914–2005), cartoonist (USA)
• Eduard Viiralt (Eduard Wiiralt, 1898–1954), graphic artist
• Kiino Villand (born 1969), photographer (USA)
• Ilon Wikland (born 1930), illustrator (Sweden)

See also

• 100 great Estonians of the 20th century