Short answer: there’s no definitive top five—it depends on criteria and culture—but a commonly cited cross-civilizational shortlist is:
Other strong contenders (depending on criteria): Johannes Gutenberg, Aristotle, Charles Darwin, Martin Luther, Paul of Tarsus, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Qin Shi Huang, Napoleon, Karl Marx, Galileo, Einstein.
If you want, I can tailor a top five for a specific domain (science, politics, technology, modern era, etc.).
Determining the "most influential people ever" is inherently subjective, as influence can be measured in various ways—cultural, political, scientific, religious, or social impact. However, based on historical consensus and their lasting impact on humanity, here are five individuals often regarded as among the most influential in history, along with reasons for their inclusion:
Impact: The spread of Christianity transformed empires (e.g., Roman Empire), inspired movements like the Renaissance and Reformation, and continues to guide personal and societal values.
Muhammad (c. 570 – 632 CE)
Impact: Islamic culture fostered advancements in science, mathematics, and architecture during the Golden Age, and his influence persists in politics, law (Sharia), and daily life across diverse regions.
Isaac Newton (1643 – 1727)
Impact: Newton’s discoveries underpin much of modern technology, engineering, and our understanding of the universe, influencing the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.
Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
Impact: Beyond science, Einstein became a cultural icon for genius, influenced political discourse (e.g., advocating against nuclear weapons), and inspired generations of thinkers.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948)
Of course. This is one of the most debated questions in history because "influence" can be measured in many ways—through religion, science, politics, technology, or philosophy.
Any list is subjective, but historians and scholars often create lists based on the depth, duration, and breadth of a person's impact on the world.
Here is a list of five people who are consistently ranked among the most influential in human history, along with the reasons why.
It's difficult to stop at five. Here are other figures who are always in the conversation:
Of course. This is one of the most debated questions in history, as "influence" can be measured in countless ways: religious, scientific, political, philosophical, and artistic.
There is no single "correct" list, but based on the scope, scale, and longevity of their impact on human civilization, the following five individuals are consistently ranked among the most influential.
Here is a list of five, with an explanation of their unparalleled impact.
Sphere of Influence: Religion, Culture, Ethics, History Why He's Here: The central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion with over 2 billion followers. His teachings, life, and the belief in his resurrection fundamentally reshaped Western civilization and later, the entire globe. The Christian calendar (AD/BC) is the world's standard, and his ethical teachings on love, mercy, and redemption have been a cornerstone of Western law, art, music, literature, and morality for two millennia.
Sphere of Influence: Religion, Politics, Law, Culture Why He's Here: The founder of Islam, the world's second-largest religion with over 1.8 billion followers. He was not only a prophet but also a political and military leader who unified Arabia under Islam. The Quran and his teachings form the basis of Islamic civilization, which has profoundly shaped the history, culture, and politics of the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of Asia and continues to be a major global force today.
Sphere of Influence: Science, Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy Why He's Here: He laid the foundation for the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution. In his Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, he formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, explaining the motion of everything from falling apples to planets. He also co-invented calculus. His work provided a mathematical, predictable framework for the universe, moving humanity away from superstition and fundamentally changing our ability to understand and manipulate the physical world.
Sphere of Influence: Religion, Philosophy, Psychology Why He's Here: The
Determining the "most influential people ever" is subjective and depends on criteria such as historical impact, societal change, technological advancement, cultural influence, and leadership. However, here are five individuals frequently cited as among the most influential in history:
Would you like a list focused on a specific field (science, politics, religion, etc.)?
While any list is subjective, these figures are commonly considered among the most influential people in human history:
This is necessarily incomplete, as influence takes many forms and varies across cultures and historical perspectives.
The five most influential people ever, according to the most widely cited rankings by historians and analysts, are generally considered to be:
This ordering is directly reflected in The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart, which is the most referenced single ranking focused on measurable influence, rather than subjective greatness[1][8][4]. These five appear in nearly all major top-5 lists compiled by both historians and popular polls, though the precise order may vary.
Supporting context: - Muhammad is cited as the most influential due to founding Islam, a major world religion, and also instituting lasting social, legal, and political changes[1][8]. - Isaac Newton's scientific discoveries (laws of motion, gravity, calculus) fundamentally changed the understanding of nature and led to countless technological and theoretical advances[1][4][8]. - Jesus Christ’s teachings and life form the basis of Christianity, which has shaped Western civilization for two millennia[1][4]. - Gautama Buddha established Buddhism, directly affecting Asian cultures and indirectly influencing philosophy and psychology worldwide[1][4][8]. - Confucius’s moral, ethical, and philosophical teachings defined Chinese society for centuries and still influence East Asia today[1][4].
Alternative viewpoints: - Some lists include Albert Einstein or Johannes Gutenberg in the top 5 due to their transformative impacts on science and communication, respectively, and Jesus and Muhammad are sometimes swapped in order based on religious or cultural perspectives[6][3][2]. - Other rankings, such as those by TIME and crowd-sourced polls, include figures like Napoleon or Shakespeare in the very top ranks, but these deviations are less consistent across academic references[6][9].
Summary Table (Michael Hart’s Top 5 Influential People):
| Rank | Name | Main Influence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad | Islam, religious and political |
| 2 | Isaac Newton | Science, mathematics |
| 3 | Jesus Christ | Christianity, religion |
| 4 | Gautama Buddha | Buddhism, religion, philosophy |
| 5 | Confucius | Philosophy, social order |
These figures are consistently recognized for having influenced not just their immediate societies, but also the trajectory of world history in enduring and profound ways[1][8][4].