# List of Estonians

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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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

* Evald Aav (1900–1939), composer, choir conductor
* Juhan Aavik (1884–1982), composer, conductor
* Urmas Alender (1953–1994), pop musician
* Tommy Cash (born 1991), rapper
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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), 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