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
 * 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

 * 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
 * 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

 * 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