List of Azerbaijanis

Aerospace

• Tofig Ismayilov (1933–1991), aerospace scientist
• Kerim Kerimov (1917–2003), aerospace engineer
• Musa Manarov (born 1951), astronaut

Actors

Hokuma Gurbanova

• Lutfali Abdullayev (1914–1973), actor
• Telman Adigozalov (1953–2010), actor
• Aliagha Aghayev (1913–1983), actor
• Alasgar Alakbarov (1910–1963), actor
• Mirzaagha Aliyev (1883–1954), actor
• Huseyn Arablinski (1881–1919), actor
• Sayavush Aslan (1935–2013), actor
• Mirza Babayev (1903–2003), actor and singer^[1]
• Shamsi Badalbeyli (1911–1986), theatre director and actor
• Leyla Badirbeyli (1920–1999), actress^[2]
• Hajibaba Baghirov (1932–2006), actor
• Bahram Bagirzade (born 1972), actor, entertainer, comedian and film director
• Rasim Balayev (born 1948), actor
• Afag Bashirgyzy (born 1955), actress
• Aghasadyg Garaybeyli (1897–1988), actor
• Hokuma Gurbanova (1913–1988), actress
• Nesrin Javadzadeh (born 1982), actress
• Munavvar Kalantarli (1912–1962), actress and folk singer
• Aygün Kazımova (born 1971), actress and singer
• Fakhraddin Manafov (born 1955), actor
• Jeyhun Mirzayev (1946–1993), actor and film director
• Yashar Nuri (1951–2012), actor
• Hamida Omarova (born 1957), actress
• Hagigat Rzayeva (1907–1969), actress and singer
• Latif Safarov (1920–1963), actor and film director
• Barat Shakinskaya (1914–1999), actress
• Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh (1893–1938), actor and film director
• Rza Tahmasib (1894–1980), actor
• Hasanagha Turabov (1938–2003), actor
• Eldaniz Zeynalov (1937–2001), actor
• Nasiba Zeynalova (1916–2004), actress

Archaeologists and anthropologists

• Jeyhun Hajibeyli (1891–1962), ethnographer and journalist
• Mammadali Huseynov (1922–1994), archaeologist
• Ishag Jafarzadeh (1895–1982), archaeologist and ethnographer

Architects

• Sadig Dadashov (1905–1946), architect
• Gasim bey Hajibababeyov (1811–1874), architect
• Mammad Hasan Hajinski (1875–1931), architect and statesman
• Mikayil Huseynov (1905–1992), architect
• Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi (1817–1910), architect
• Kamal Mammadbeyov (1924–1997), architect
• Ajami Nakhchivani (12th–13th centuries), architect

Artists

Azim Azimzade was an Azerbaijani artist and prominent cartoonist.

• Mikail Abdullayev (1921–2002), painter
• Fuad Abdurahmanov (1915–1971), sculptor
• Azim Azimzade (1880–1943), painter and graphic artist and the founder of Azerbaijani satirical graphics
• Sattar Bahlulzadeh (1909–1974), impressionist painter
• Omar Eldarov (born 1927), sculptor
• Jalal Garyaghdi (1914–2001), sculptor
• Bahruz Kangarli (1892–1922), painter, graphic artist and the founder of realistic easel painting of Azerbaijan
• Tokay Mammadov (born 1927), sculptor
• Boyukagha Mirzazade (1921–2007), painter
• Rustam Mustafayev (1910–1940), scenic designer
• Togrul Narimanbekov (1930–2013), painter
• Vidadi Narimanbekov (1926–2001), painter
• Mir Mohsun Navvab (1833–1918), calligrapher, poet, artist, music historian, astronomer, carpenter, chemist and mathematician
• Maral Rahmanzade (1916–2008), graphic artist
• Alakbar Rezaguliyev (1903–1974), painter
• Tahir Salahov (born 1928), painter
• Fuad Salayev (born 1943), sculptor
• Mirza Kadym Irevani (1835–1875), artist

Broadcasters

• Mirshahin Agayev (born 1963), TV presenter and journalist
• Leyla Aliyeva (born 1986), TV presenter
• Salatyn Asgarova (1961–1991), a leading war journalist in Azerbaijan, killed by Armenian militants on 9 January 1991
• Nargiz Birk-Petersen (born 1976), TV presenter
• Emin Efendi, TV presenter and record producer
• Chingiz Mustafayev (1960–1992), one of the most notable independent Azerbaijani journalists
• Sevinj Osmanqizi (born 1969), TV presenter, media personality, author and journalist

Businessmen

Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, a national industrial magnate and philanthropist accompanied by his daughter Leyla and his grandchildren

• Aras Agalarov (born 1955), businessman
• Farkhad Akhmedov (born 1955), businessman
• Vagit Alekperov (born 1950), businessman^[3]
• Shamsi Asadullayev (1840–1913), industrial oil magnate and philanthropist
• Jahangir Hajiyev (born 1965), banker
• Telman Ismailov (born 1956), businessman
• Nigar Kocharli (born 1975), bookshop chain owner
• Hafiz Mammadov (born 1964), businessman
• Mubariz Mansimov (born 1968), businessman
• Murtuza Mukhtarov (1865–1920), industrial oil magnate and philanthropist
• Musa Nagiyev (1849–1919), industrial oil magnate and philanthropist
• God Nisanov (born 1972), businessman; the youngest Azerbaijani billionaire
• Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (1823–1924), industrial oil magnate and philanthropist

Clergy

Mahammad Hasan Movlazadeh Shakavi was an alim, the first Sheikh ul-Islam of the Caucasus, and the first scholar who translated Quran into Azerbaijani language.

• Ilgar Ibrahimoglu (born 1973), cleric and human rights activist
• Allahshukur Pashazadeh (born 1949), Sheikh ul-Islam and Grand Mufti of the Caucasus
• Movlazadeh Mahammad Hasan Shakavi (1854–1932), religious leader, philosopher, alim, the first Sheikh ul-Islam of the Caucasus, the first scholar who translated Quran into Azerbaijani language

Dancers

• Gamar Almaszadeh (1915–2006), the first Azerbaijani ballerina
• Oksana Rasulova (born 1982), dancer, choreographer and actress
• Leyla Vakilova (1927–1999), ballerina

Explorers

• Zeynalabdin Shirvani (1780–1838), traveller and geographer

Fashion

• Javidan Gurbanova (born 1990), model
• Aysel Manafova (born 1990), model
• Nigar Talibova (born 1975), model

Film industry

• Yuli Gusman (born 1943), film director
• Magsud Ibrahimbeyov (1935–2016), writer
• Rustam Ibragimbekov (born 1939), writer and screenwriter^[4]
• Elchin Musaoglu (born 1966), film director
• Vagif Mustafayev (born 1953), film director, producer and screenwriter
• Rasim Ojagov (1933–2006), film director and operator
• Hasan Seyidbeyli (1920–1980), film director, dramatist and screenwriter
• Rza Tahmasib (1894–1980), film director and actor
• Robert Hossein (born 1927), film director and actor

Historians

Abbasgulu Bakikhanov is known for founding Azerbaijani scientific historiography.

• Igrar Aliyev (1924–2004), historian
• Sara Ashurbayli (1906–2001), historian, historian and scholar
• Abbasgulu Bakikhanov (1794–1847), writer, historian, journalist, linguist, poet, philosopher and founder of Azerbaijani scientific historiography
• Aydin Balayev (born 1956), historian
• Ziya Buniatov (1923–1997), historian and academician
• Jamil Hasanli (born 1952), historian and politician
• Alexander Kazembek (1802–1870), orientalist, historian and philologist^[5][6][7][8]
• Tofig Kocharli (1929–2007), historian and politician
• Farida Mammadova (born 1936), historian
• Mirza Adigozal bey (1780s–1840), historian of the 19th century, author of a historical work "Garabaghname"

Journalists

• Hasan bey Aghayev (1875–1920), journalist, doctor, teacher and politician
• Salatyn Asgarova (1961–1991), journalist
• Elmar Huseynov (1967–2005), journalist
• Osman Mirzayev (1937–1991), journalist, writer and publicist
• Ali Mustafayev (1952–1991), journalist
• Chingiz Mustafayev (1960–1992), one of the most independent journalists in Azerbaijan, honoured as a National Hero of Azerbaijan after being killed by Armenian invaders
• Omar Faig Nemanzadeh (1872–1937), journalist

Military

Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanski was General of the Russian Cavalry. He was the only Muslim to serve as General-Adjutant of the Russian Emperor.

Mehdi Huseynzade was a legendary guerrilla and reconnaissance, made famous daring operations against the German and Italian invaders during the Second World War in Yugoslavia and Italy, Hero of the Soviet Union.

• Safar Abiyev (born 1950), army general
• Albert Agarunov (1969–1992), tank commander
• Sadykh bey Aghabekov (1865–1944), army general in the Russian Imperial Army, founder and reformer of Azerbaijani Police and orientalist
• Riad Ahmadov (1956–1992), military officer
• Avraamy Aslanbegov (1822–1900), vice–admiral and military writer
• Azi Aslanov (1910–1945), army general
• Allahverdi Bagirov (1946–1992), officer and football coach
• Farrukh Gayibov (1891–1916), the first Azerbaijani military pilot during World War I
• Alif Hajiyev (1953–1992), officer
• Zakir Hasanov (born 1959), army general
• Fatulla Huseynov (1937–2004), colonel, politician and public figure
• Tofig Huseynov (1954–1992), major
• Mehdi Huseynzade (1918–1944), guerrilla fighter in Yugoslavia and Italy during World War II
• Mubariz Ibrahimov (1988–2010), warrant officer
• Ahmadiyya Jabrayilov (1920–1994), activist of French Resistance
• Rovshan Javadov (1951–1995), influential military activist, public figure
• Asif Maharramov (1952–1994), lieutenant colonel
• Leyla Mammadbeyova (1909–1989), the first Azerbaijani female aviator and the first female pilot in Southern Europe and the Middle East
• Eldar Mammadov (1968–1993), officer
• Israfil Mammadov (1919–1946), military commander^[9]
• Samedbey Mehmandarov (1855–1931), army general and politician
• Hussein Khan Nakhichevanski (1855–1931), Cavalry General and General–Adjutant
• Jamshid Nakhichevanski (1863–1919), Russian Imperial, Azerbaijani and Soviet military commander
• Ali-Agha Shikhlinski (1895–1938), army general and politician
• Ibrahim bey Usubov (1872–1920), military commander

Musicians

Composers

Uzeyir Hajibeyov is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani classical music and opera. He composed the national anthem of Azerbaijan.

• Franghiz Ali-Zadeh (born 1947), composer
• Fikret Amirov (1922–1984), composer^[10]
• Rafig Babayev (1937–1994), composer, jazz pianist and singer
• Afrasiyab Badalbeyli (1907–1976), composer, conductor and music critic; the author of music and the libretto of the first Azerbaijani Ballet and the first ballet in the Muslim East
• Tofig Bakikhanov (born 1930), composer
• Amina Figarova (born 1964), jazz composer and pianist^[11]
• Salman Gambarov (born 1959), composer and jazz pianist
• Gara Garayev (1918–1982), composer
• Tofig Guliyev (1917–2000), composer
• Soltan Hajibeyov (1919–1974), composer
• Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885–1948), composer, conductor, scientist, publicist, playwright, teacher, translator, and social figure; the first Muslim author of an opera
• Rauf Hajiyev (1922–1985), composer and politician
• Muslim Magomayev (1885–1937), composer, one of the founders of Azerbaijani classical music
• Arif Malikov (born 1933), composer
• Eldar Mansurov (born 1952), composer
• Vagif Mustafazadeh (1940–1979), composer and jazz pianist and the founder of Azerbaijani jazz
• Emin Sabitoglu (1937–2000), composer, music editor
• Ali Salimi (1922–1997), composer and tar player
• Alakbar Taghiyev (1922–1981), composer
• Aziza Mustafa Zadeh (born 1969), singer, composer, pianist

Singers

Alim Qasimov is the winner of the International Music Council's UNESCO Music Prize, one of the highest international accolades for music.

Diana Hajiyeva, Azerbaijan's representative in 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

• Aghakhan Abdullayev (born 1950), mugham singer
• Emin Agalarov (born 1979), singer
• Ahmed Agdamski (1884–1954), folk and opera singer
• Ogtay Aghayev (1935–2006), singer
• Shovkat Alakbarova (1922–1993), singer
• Sevda Alakbarzadeh (born 1977), jazz singer
• Dinara Aliyeva (born 1980), singer (soprano)
• Safura Alizadeh (born 1992), singer
• Rauf Atakishiyev (1925–1994), singer, pianist, singer–soloist and scholar
• Mashadibaba Aydamirov (1971–2011), meykhana performer
• Elchin Azizov (born 1975), opera singer and entertainer
• Rashid Behbudov (born 1915–1989), singer, actor
• Bulbul (1897–1961), folk and opera singer and one of the founders of Azerbaijani national musical theater
• Bulbuljan (1841–1927), mugham singer
• Polad Bulbuloglu (born 1945), singer, songwriter and actor
• Aghasalim Childagh (1930–2008), meykhana performer
• Brilliant Dadashova (born 1965), singer
• Rashad Daghly (born 1984), meykhana performer
• Huseyn Derya (1975–2014), rapper
• Jabbar Garyagdyoglu (1861–1944), mugham singer
• Eldar Gasimov (born 1989), singer and actor
• Fidan Gasimova (born 1947), opera singer
• Fidan Haciyeva (born 1976), opera singer
• Khuraman Gasimova (born 1951), opera singer
• Gulkhar Hasanova (1918–2005), opera singer
• Hajibaba Huseynov (1919–1993), mugham singer
• Mansum Ibrahimov (born 1960), mugham singer
• Lutfiyar Imanov (1928–2008), opera singer
• Akif Islamzade (born 1948), pop singer
• Aygün Kazımova (born 1971), pop singer, actress
• Dilara Kazimova (born 1984), singer and actress
• Zeynab Khanlarova (born 1936), singer and politician
• Muslim Magomayev (1942–2008), opera, pop singer and composer^[12]
• Sakhavat Mammadov (1953–1991), folk and mugham singer
• Yagub Mammadov (1930–2002), mugham singer.
• Nazakat Mammadova (1944–1981), folk and mugham singer
• Anar Nagilbaz (born 1974), rapper, actor
• Alim Qasimov (born 1957), mugham singer
• Farghana Qasimova (born 1979), mugham singer
• Nizami Ramzi (1947–1997), meykhana performer
• Gadir Rustamov (1935–2011), mugham singer
• Huseyngulu Sarabski (1879–1945), opera singer, composer, playwright, actor, producer and musician
• Adalet Shukurov (born 1966), singer
• Khan Shushinski (1901–1979), mugham singer
• Seyid Shushinski (1889–1965), mugham singer
• Aysel Teymurzadeh (born 1989), singer
• Elshad Xose (born 1979), rapper
• Eyyub Yaqubov (born 1965), singer
• Miri Yusif (born 1977), rapper and singer
• Sami Yusuf (born 1980)‚ singer, songwriter
• Aziza Mustafa Zadeh (born 1969), jazz singer and pianist
• Diana Hajiyeva (born 1989), singer, songwriter

Instrumental musicians

Natig Shirinov

• Habil Aliyev (1927–2015), kamancha player
• Farhad Badalbeyli (born 1947), pianist and composer
• Kamil Jalilov (born 1938), oboe player
• Bahram Mansurov (1911–1985), tar player
• Shahin Novrasli (born 1977), jazz pianist
• Gurban Pirimov (1880–1965), tar player
• Sadigjan (1846–1902), tar player and the inventor of the Azerbaijani tar
• Alihan Samedov (born 1964), balaban player
• Isfar Sarabski (born 1989), jazz pianist
• Natig Shirinov (born 1975), nagara player
• Rain Sultanov (born 1965), saxophonist

Philosophers

• Seyid Yahya Bakuvi (1410–1462), philosopher
• Max Black (1909–1988), philosopher
• Salahaddin Khalilov (born 1952), philosopher
• Adil Asadov (born 1958), philosopher

Politicians

Fatali Khan Khoyski was the first Prime Minister of the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Mammad Amin Rasulzade was the only president of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

• Sultan Majid Afandiyev (1887–1938), politician and revolutionary
• Samad aga Agamalioglu (1867–1930), politician and revolutionary
• Ahmet Ağaoğlu (1869–1939), politician, publicist and journalist
• Ruhulla Akhundov (1897–1938), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Vali Akhundov (1916–1986), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Heydar Aliyev (1923–2003), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR and President of Azerbaijan
• Ilham Aliyev (born 1961), President of Azerbaijan
• Mehriban Aliyeva (born 1964), politician and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
• Mahammad Asadov (1941–1991), politician
• Araz Azimov (born 1962), politician
• Kamran Baghirov (1933–2000), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Mir Jafar Baghirov (1896–1956), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Govhar Bakhshaliyeva (1954-), Vice Speaker of the Milli Majlis
• Abulfaz Elchibey (1938–2000), President of Azerbaijan
• Aslan bey Gardashov (1866–1920), politician
• Ismat Gayibov (1942–1991), politician, the Public Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan
• Rasul Guliyev (born 1947), politician
• Vafa Guluzade (1940–2015), diplomat, political scientist and specialist in conflict resolution
• Kamaladdin Heydarov (born 1961), politician and composer
• Mirza Davud Huseynov (1894–1938), Chairman of the Presidium of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR and First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Tajik SSR
• Tofig Ismayilov (1933–1991), politician
• Mammad Yusif Jafarov (1885–1938), politician
• Ali Karimli (born 1965), politician
• Khalil Khasmammadov (1875–1947), politician and diplomat
• Fatali Khan Khoyski (1875–1920), politician, attorney, and one of the founding leaders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
• Anar Mammadkhanov (1970–2011), politician and social activist
• Ziya Mammadov (born 1952), politician
• Elmar Mammadyarov (born 1960), politician
• Rasim Musabayov (born 1951), politician, political scientist and specialist in conflict resolution
• Gazanfar Musabekov (1888–1938), politician
• Imam Mustafayev (1910–1997), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Ayaz Mutalibov (born 1938), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR and the first President of Azerbaijan
• Eldar Namazov (born 1956), politician
• Sabit Orujov (1912–1981), politician
• Ganira Pashayeva (born 1975), politician, public activist, journalist and poet
• Mammed Amin Rasulzade (1884–1955), statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding leaders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
• Khosrov bey Sultanov (1879–1947), politician
• Ramil Usubov (born 1948), politician
• Abdurrahman Vazirov (born 1930), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Mir Teymur Yaqubov (1904–1970), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR
• Nasib Yusifbeyli (1881–1920), publicist, statesman and one of the founding leaders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

Revolutionaries and leaders of rebellions

• Meshadi Azizbekov (1876–1918), revolutionary, of the 26 Baku Commissars and one of the first Azeri–Marxists
• Khanlar Safaraliyev (1878–1907), oil field worker, trade unionist and revolutionary social democrat
• Mir Hasan Vazirov (1889–1918), socialist–revolutionary, of the 26 Baku Commissars

Scientists

Stamp dedicated to the 90th anniversary of chemist Yusif Mammadaliyev

• Hasan Abdullayev (1918–1993), physicist, scientist and public official, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR.
• Rasim Alguliyev (born 1958), doctor of technical sciences, active member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• Aminaga Sadigov (born 1962), doctor of technical sciences, professor, the head of the Office of Science and Education of the Presidium of ANAS
• Rafig Aliyev (born 1942), scientist, president of "Zadeh’s heritage and artificial intelligence" association
• Ahliman Amiraslanov (born 1947), oncologist, a professor and Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University
• Hamid Arasly (1902–1983), literary critic
• Firuddin Babayev (1929–1987), pathologist
• Anvar Chingizoglu (born 1962), historian, ethnologist and genealogist
• Jeyhun Hajibeyli (1891–1962), ethnographer
• Ashraf Huseynov (1907–1981), mathematician, member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• Mammadali Huseynov (1922–1994), archeologist
• Nadir Ibrahimov (1932–1977), astronomer
• Hamlet Isakhanli (born 1948), mathematician and poet, founder and president of Khazar University
• Ishag Jafarzadeh (1895–1982), one of the pioneers of Azerbaijan archaeology and ethnography
• Kerim Kerimov (1917–2003), rocket scientist, one of the founders of the Soviet space industry, and for many years a central figure in the Soviet space program^[13]
• Yusif Kerimov (1926–1997), electrical engineer, inventor and former head of the Azerenergy
• Boris Khatagurov (born 1940), surgeon and physician
• Firudin bey Kocharli (born 1863–1920), philologist, writer and literary critic
• Yusif Mammadaliyev (1905–1961), chemist, was the president of the National Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR
• Leyla Mammadbeyova (1922–2006), the first female Azerbaijani pathologist and the first female forensic medical expert
• Zaid Orudzhev (born 1932), philosopher
• Mirali Qashqai (1907–1977), geologist
• Arif Salimov (born 1956), mathematician
• Farman Salmanov (1931–2007), geologist^[14]
• Zeynalabdin Shirvani (1780–1838), geographer
• Agabey Sultanov (1938–2007), psychiatrist, scholar and public activist
• Hajibey Sultanov (1921–2008), astronomer and former head of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
• Lotfi A. Zadeh (born 1921), mathematician, electrical engineer, computer scientist, founder of the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic^[15]

Sports

Tofiq Bahramov became the first referee to have a stadium named after him.

Gurban Gurbanov is Azerbaijan's all-time leading goal scorer in international matches and most successful manager in European cups.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is the 2013 World Rapid Chess Champion.

• Asgar Abdullayev (born 1960), footballer and football manager
• Namig Abdullayev (born 1971), wrestler and Olympic champion
• Ruslan Abishov (born 1987), footballer
• Emin Aghayev (born 1973), footballer and football manager
• Kamran Aghayev (born 1986), footballer
• Rafael Aghayev (born 1985), karateka
• Emin Ahmadov (born 1986), wrestler
• Mashalla Ahmadov (born 1959), footballer
• Samir Alakbarov (born 1968), footballer
• Vugar Alakbarov (born 1981), boxer
• Ahmad Alasgarov (born 1935), footballer and football manager
• Rauf Aliyev (born 1989), footballer
• Vusal Aliyev (born 1970), football referee
• Arif Asadov (born 1970), footballer and football manager
• Toghrul Asgarov (born 1992), wrestler and Olympic champion
• Irada Ashumova (born 1958), sports shooter
• Israfil Ashurly (born 1969), mountaineer
• Murad Ashurly (1973–2014), mountaineer
• Fuad Aslanov (born 1976), boxer
• Orhan Aydın (born 1989), basketballer
• Tofiq Bahramov (1925–1993), the Azerbaijani linesman from 1966 World Cup final
• Rasim Başak (born 1980), basketball player
• Rovshan Bayramov (born 1987), wrestler
• Faig Garayev (born 1959), volleyball player and volleyball coach
• Vugar Gashimov (1986–2014), chess grandmaster
• Vali Gasimov (born 1968), footballer and football manager
• Natavan Gasimova (born 1985), volleyball player
• Ramil Guliyev (born 1990), sprinter
• Gurban Gurbanov (born 1972), footballer and football manager
• Mahmud Gurbanov (born 1973), footballer and football manager
• Boyukagha Hajiyev (born 1958), footballer and football manager
• Faiq Hasanov (born 1940), chess arbiter, coach and TV presenter
• Nazim Huseynov (born 1969), judoka and Olympic champion
• Yunis Huseynov (born 1965), footballer and football manager
• Ramin Ibrahimov (born 1978), judoka
• Shahin Imranov (born 1980), boxer
• Elchin Ismayilov (born 1982), judoka
• Isgandar Javadov (born 1956), footballer
• Vagif Javadov (born 1989), footballer
• Aygün Kazımova (born 1971), handball
• Sergey Kramarenko (1946–2008), footballer and football manager
• Rauf Mamedov (born 1988), chess grandmaster
• Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (born 1985), chess grandmaster
• Elnur Mammadli (born 1988), judoka and Olympic champion
• Aghasi Mammadov (born 1980), boxer
• Alakbar Mammadov (1925–2014), footballer
• Elkhan Mammadov (born 1982), judoka
• Fariz Mammadov (born 1980), boxer
• Ramiz Mammadov (born 1968), footballer and football manager
• Teymur Mammadov (born 1993), boxer
• Zemfira Meftahatdinova (born 1963), sport shooter and Olympic champion
• Aghasalim Mirjavadov (born 1947), footballer and football manager
• Rami Miron (born 1957), Israeli Olympic wrestler
• Olokhan Musayev (born 1979), athlete
• Oleg Panyutin (born 1983), athlete
• Nizami Pashayev (born 1981), weightlifter
• Zhala Piriyeva (born 2000), rhythmic gymnast
• Natali Pronina (born 1987), swimmer
• Teimour Radjabov (born 1987), chess grandmaster
• Jamal Rahimov (born 1987), equestrian
• Vidadi Rzayev (born 1967), footballer and football manager
• Rashad Sadygov (born 1982), footballer
• Vagif Sadygov (born 1959), footballer and football manager
• Sharif Sharifov (born 1988), wrestler and Olympic champion
• Samadagha Shikhlarov (born 1959), footballer and football manager
• Mahir Shukurov (born 1982), footballer
• Nazim Suleymanov (born 1965), footballer and football manager
• Jeyhun Sultanov (born 1979), footballer
• Afag Sultanova (born 1987), judoka
• Zaur Tagizade (born 1979), footballer
• Kazbek Tuaev (born 1940), footballer and football manager
• Lala Yusifova (born 1996), rhythmic gymnast
• Ilham Zakiyev (born 1980), judoka

Writers

Khurshidbanu Natavan was the daughter of Mehdi Gulu–khan, the last ruler of the Karabakh khanate (1748–1822); she is considered one of the best lyrical poets of Azerbaijan.

Mikayil Mushfig was an Azerbaijani poet of the 1930s. Though he was not opposed to the Soviets, his name was entered in a list of counter-revolutionaries by his own countrymen. He was arrested and executed by the Soviet authorities at the age of 30.

• Chingiz Abdullayev (born 1959), best–selling detective writer
• Elchin Afandiyev (born 1943), writer and politician
• Ilyas Afandiyev (1914–1996), writer
• Mirza Fatali Akhundov (1812–1878), writer, educator, philosopher; founder of Azerbaijani drama
• Suleyman Sani Akhundov (1875–1939), playwright, journalist, children's author and teacher
• Sakina Akhundzadeh (1865–1927), first female playwright and dramatist of Azerbaijani literature
• Mammad Araz (1933–2004), poet
• Vidadi Babanli (born 1927), writer, dramatist and translator
• Banine (1905–1992), writer
• Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli (1887–1943), writer
• Mirvarid Dilbazi (1912–2001), poet
• Fikrat Goja (born 1935), poet
• Madina Gulgun (1926–1991), poet
• Mahammad Hadi (1879–1920), poet
• Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev (1870–1930), playwright, stage director, politician and public figure
• Mehdi Huseyn (1909–1965), writer
• Ali bey Huseynzade (1864–1940), writer, philosopher, doctor and the creator of the modern flag of Azerbaijan
• Almas Ildyrym (1907–1952), poet
• Hamlet Isakhanli (born 1948), poet, writer, mathematician, historian of science, philosophy and culture and educator
• Jafar Jabbarly (1899–1934), writer
• Ahmad Javad (1892–1937), poet and best known for composing Azerbaijan's national anthem
• Jafargulu agha Javanshir (1787–1866), poet and major–general
• Huseyn Javid (1882–1941), poet and playwright, founder of the progressive romanticism in Azerbaijani literature
• Nusrat Kasamanli (1946–2003), poet
• Heyran Khanim (1790–1848), poet
• Jalil Mammadguluzadeh (1866–1932), satirist and writer
• Afag Masud (born 1957), writer
• Mikayil Mushfig (1908–1939), poet
• Gasham Najafzadeh (born 1959), poet
• Khurshidbanu Natavan (1832–1897), poet
• Kamran Nazirli (born 1958), writer, translator and dramatist
• Mammed Said Ordubadi (1872–1950), writer
• Baba Punhan (1948–2004), poet
• Nigar Rafibeyli (1913–1981), writer
• Natig Rasulzadeh (born 1949), writer
• Ramiz Rovshan (born 1946), writer
• Suleyman Rustam (1906–1989), poet
• Rasul Rza (1910–1981), writer
• Anar Rzayev (born 1938), writer, dramatist and film director
• Mirza Alakbar Sabir (1862–1911), poet
• Elchin Safarli (born 1984), novelist and journalist
• Abbas Sahhat (1874–1918), poet and dramatist
• Bahar Shirvani (1835–1883), poet
• Seyid Azim Shirvani (1835–1888), poet
• Ismayil Shykhly (1919–1995), writer
• Manaf Suleymanov (1912–2001), writer, translator and historian
• Khalil Rza Uluturk (1932–1994), poet
• Mehdigulu Khan Vafa (1855–1900), poet and lieutenant colonel
• Molla Panah Vagif (1717–1797), poet and vizier Karabakh Khanate and the founder of realism in Azerbaijani literature
• Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh (1925–2009), poet
• Aliagha Vahid (1895–1965), poet
• Mirza Shafi Vazeh (1794–1852), poet
• Hashim bey Vazirov (1868–1916), writer, journalist and publisher
• Najaf bey Vazirov (1854–1925), novelist, playwright, theatrical figure and one of the founders of Azerbaijani theater
• Molla Vali Vidadi (1708–1809), poet
• Samad Vurgun (1906–1956), poet
• Gasim bey Zakir (1784–1857), poet

Other notables

Hasan bey Zardabi was the founder of the first Azerbaijani–language newspaper, Akinchi

• Rovshan Aliyev (1955–2002), criminalist
• Rena Effendi (born 1977), photographer
• Rahilya Geybullayeva (born 1961), literary researcher
• Enver Mamedov (born 1923), mass media manager
• Shirali Muslimov (1805–1973), supercentarian
• Hasan bey Zardabi (1837–1907), publicist and scholar

Actors

• Behrouz Vossoughi (born 1938), actor

Artists

• Aydin Aghdashloo (born 1940), painter
• Haydar Hatemi (born 1945), painter

Businessmen

• Reza Zarrab (born 1984), businessman

Clergy

Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari was a Grand Ayatollah.

• Javad Gharavi Aliari (born 1935), Twelver shi'a marja
• Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardabili (born 1926), politician and Twelver shi'a marja
• Sadegh Khalkhali (1926–2003), hardline Shia cleric of the Islamic Republic
• Abul-Qassim Khoei (1899–1992), Twelver shi'a marja
• Fazel Lankarani (1931–2007), Twelver shi'a marja
• Ali Meshkini (1922–2007), cleric and politician^[16]
• Hassan Roshdieh (1851–1944), cleric and politician
• Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari (1905–1986), Grand Ayatollah^[17]
• Allameh Tabatabaei (1903–1981), philosopher
• Abbas-Ali Amid Zanjani (1937–2011), hardliner theologian, politician and scholar
• Mousa Shubairi Zanjani (born 1928), Twelver shi'a marja

Filmmakers

• Jafar Panahi (born 1960), filmmaker

Military

• Mehdi Bakeri (1954–1985), mayor during Iran–Iraq war
• Javad Fakori (1939–1981), army general and politician
• Abbas Gharabaghi (1918–2000), politician, military leader of Iran and the first Iranian to successfully pilot an aircraft^[18]
• Habibullah Huseynov (1910–1945), Soviet colonel and Hero of the Soviet Union
• Mohammad Taqi–Khan Pessian (1892–1921), military leader

Musicians

Aysel and Arash in the green room during the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow

• Hossein Alizadeh (born 1951), classical composer and folk musician^[19]
• Arash (born 1977), singer, dancer, entertainer and producer^{[20][21][22][23]}
• Aref Arefkia (born 1941), singer
• Faegheh Atashin (born 1960), singer and actress
• Davod Azad (born 1963), composer, Sufi vocalist and multi–instrumentalist
• Samin Baghtcheban (1925–2008), musician, composer, author and translator
• Dariush Eghbali (born 1951), pop singer
• André Hossein (1905–1983), composer
• Aygün Kazımova (born 1971), pop singer
• Fatma Mukhtarova (1893–1972), opera singer
• Rubaba Muradova (1930–1983), mugham and folk singer
• Hassan Sattar (born 1949), pop singer

Monarchy

• Ismail I (1487–1524), poet and the founder of the Safavid dynasty
• Tahmasp I (1514–1576), second Shah of the Safavid dynasty
• Shah Abbas I (1571–1629), fifth Shah of Safavid dynasty
• Mohammad Khan Qajar (1742–1797), the founder of the Qajar dynasty
• Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (1772–1834), second Shah of the Qajar dynasty
• Abbas Mirza (1789–1833), famous crown Prince and military commander of the Qajar dynasty; governor of Azerbaijan
• Tadj ol-Molouk (1896–1982), Queen consort of Iran
• Jahan Shah (1397–1467), ruler of Kara Koyunlu oghuz tribal federation and poet
• Farah Pahlavi (born 1938), the last Queen of Iran

Politicians

Supreme leader of Iran (Khamenei)

Mir-Hossein Mousavi, last Prime Minister of Iran from 1981 to 1989, current leader of Iranian opposition

Sattar Khan was a key figure in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and one of the greatest heroes of Persia (Iran).

• Gholam Reza Aghazadeh (born 1949), politician
• Mina Ahadi (born 1956), politician
• Mehdi Bazargan (1908–1995), politician
• Mahmudali Chehregani (born 1958), politician
• Piruz Dilanchi (born 1965), politician and poet
• Parviz Fattah (born 1961), politician
• Mir Bashir Gasimov (1879–1949), politician^[24]
• Ebrahim Hakimi (1863–1959), politician
• Mahmud Jam (1884–1969), politician.
• Ali Khamenei (born 1939), President of Iran and Supreme Leader of Iran^[25][26][27]
• Sadegh Mahsouli (born 1959), politician
• Mohsen Mehralizadeh (born 1955), politician
• Reza Moridi (born 1945), politician
• Mir-Hossein Mousavi (born 1942), politician
• Ali Soheili (1896–1958), politician
• Amir Hatami (1966/1967), defense minister of Iran

Revolutionaries

• Bagher Khan (1870–1911), constitutional revolutionary leader
• Haydar Khan e Amo-oghli (1880–1921), revolutionary and politician^[28]
• Sattar Khan (1866–1914), constitutional revolutionary leader
• Mohammad Khiabani (1880–1920), revolutionary, cleric and politician
• Ja'far Pishevari (1893–1947), the founder and chairman of the socialist Azerbaijan People's Government

Scientists

Ahmad Kasravi, one of the most famous Iranians in Iran's modern history. He is known for his discovery of the Ancient Azari language.

• Shahriar Afshar (born 1971), physicist and inventor
• Fereydoon Batmanghelidj (1931–2004), medical scientist
• Camila Batmanghelidjh (born 1963), psychotherapist and social entrepreneur
• Ali Murad Davudi (1922–1979), philosopher
• Ali Javan (born 1926), physicist and inventor^[29]
• Ahmad Kasravi (1890–1946), linguist, historian, reformer, nationalist politician, author and philosopher
• Kazem Sadegh-Zadeh (born 1942), analytic philosopher

Sports

• Gholamreza Takhti (born 1930), wrestler
• Hossein Reza Zadeh (born 1978), weightlifter and double Olympic champion
• Ali Daei (born 1969), footballer and coach
• Rahim Aliabadi (born 1943), wrestler
• Javad Allahverdi (born 1954), footballer
• Sajjad Anoushiravani (born 1984), weightlifter
• Karim Ansarifard (born 1990), footballer
• Aziz Asli (born 1938), footballer
• Karim Bagheri (born 1974), footballer
• Cyrus Dinmohammadi (born 1970), footballer
• Parviz Ghelichkhani (born 1945), footballer
• Yahya Golmohammadi (born 1971), footballer
• Yousef Karami (born 1983), taekwondo athlete
• Rasoul Khatibi (born 1978), footballer
• Mohammad Navazi (born 1974), footballer
• Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi (born 1965), footballer
• Mohammad Paziraei (born 1929), wrestler
• Hadi Saei (born 1976), taekwondo athlete and double Olympic and world champion
• Jafar Salmasi (born 1918), weightlifter
• Aboutaleb Talebi (born 1945), wrestler
• Kimia Alizadeh (born 1998), taekwondo athlete and Iran's first female Olympic medalist

Writers

Mohammad Hossein Shahriar was an outstanding Azerbaijani poet from Iran.

• Reza Baraheni (1926–2000), novelist, poet and politician
• Samad Behrangi (1939–1967), political writer
• Izzeddin Hasanoglu (13th–14th centuries), the founder of literature in Azerbaijani language
• Mirza Ibrahimov (1911–1993), writer, playwright, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR (1954–1958)
• Naser Manzuri (born 1953), novelist and linguist
• Iraj Mirza (1874–1926), poet and politician
• Ali Mojuz (1873–1934), satirical poet^[30]
• Seyid Abulgasim Nabati (1812–1873), poet^[31]
• Ebrahim Nabavi (born 1958), political journalist, satirist
• Ali Nazem (1906–1941), poet, writer and literary critic
• Mir Jalal Pashayev (1908–1978), writer and literary critic, honored scientist of Azerbaijan SSR
• Bulud Qarachorlu (1926–1979), poet
• Khasta Qasim (1684–1760), poet
• Hassan Roshdieh (1851–1944), teacher, politician, and journalist
• Gholam Hossein Saedi (1936–1985), writer
• Mohammad Hossein Shahriar (1906–1988), poet
• Qovsi Tabrizi (1568–1640), poet
• Saib Tabrizi (1601–1677), poet

Other notables

• Reza Deghati (born 1952), photographer
• Hassan Khosrowshahi (born 1940), businessman and philanthropist

Actors

• Nesrin Cevadzade (born 1981), actor
• Mehmet Karaca, actor
• Tamer Karadağlı (born 1967), actor

Literature

• Ataol Behramoğlu (born 1942), poet, translator
• Qazi Burhanaddin (1344–1398), poet, ruler

Musicians

• Tuğba Ekinci (born 1976), pop singer
• Nuray Hafiftaş (born 1964), folk singer
• Cem Karaca (1945–2004), musician^[32]

Politicians

• Sinan Oğan (born 1967), politician
• Kıznaz Türkeli (born 1968), politician

Sports

• Vasıf Arzumanov (born 1988), wrestler
• Servet Çetin (born 1981), footballer
• Sinan Şamil Sam (born 1974), boxer
• Servet Tazegül (born 1988), taekwondo practitioner and Olympic champion

Other

• Süreyya Ağaoğlu (1903–1989), first female lawyer in Turkey

Military

• Abdulhamid bey Gaytabashi (1884–1920), military general

Musicians

• Rashid Behbudov (1915–1989), singer and actor
• Khadija Gayibova (1893–1938), first Azerbaijani female pianist
• Shovkat Mammadova (1897–1981), first Azerbaijani opera singer
• Niyazi (1912–1984), musical conductor and composer
• Abdulla Shaig (1881–1959), poet and writer

Politicians

• Hasan Hasanov (born 1940), the first Prime Minister of Azerbaijan
• Nariman Narimanov (1870–1925), politician, writer and Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the Azerbaijan SSR
• Alimardan Topchubashev (1862–1934), politician, foreign minister and Minister of External Affairs of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918), Head of the Parliament in absentia of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920)
• Raul Usupov (1980–2005), politician

Sports

• Farid Mansurov (born 1982), wrestler, Olympic champion
• Zabit Samedov (born 1984), kickboxer
• Ramila Yusubova (born 1989), judoka

Other notables

Nigar Shikhlinskaya was the first Azerbaijani nurse.

• Dilara Aliyeva (1929–1991), women's rights activist and scholar
• Shamistan Alizamanli (born 1959), singer, poet and military speaker
• Govhar Gaziyeva (1887–1960), actress
• Hamlet Isakhanli (born 1948), mathematician, poet, social scientist, founder of Khazar University
• Geysar Kashiyeva (1929–1972), painter
• Nigar Shikhlinskaya (1871–1931), the first Azerbaijani nurse

Actors

• Marziyya Davudova (1901–1962), actress
• Shafiga Mammadova (born 1945), film and theater actress
• Timur Rodriguez (born 1979), showman, singer and TV personality

Musicians

• Asaf Zeynally (1909–1932), composer, founder of the romance in Azerbaijani music and Azerbaijani children's music

Politicians

• Geydar Dzhemal (born 1947), philosopher, politician and social activist^[33]
• Georgiy Mamedov (born 1947), diplomat
• Tofig Zulfugarov (born 1959), politician^[34]

Sports

Ramil Sheydayev is a member of the Russia national football team.

• Tamilla Abassova (born 1982), Olympic silver medalist
• Emin Garibov (born 1990), artistic gymnast
• Ayaz Guliyev (born 1996), footballer
• Qadir Huseynov (born 1986), chess grandmaster
• Emin Mahmudov (born 1992), footballer
• Ramiz Mamedov (born 1992), footballer
• Aleksandr Samedov (born 1984), footballer
• Ramil Sheydayev (born 1996), footballer

Other notables

• Habibullah Huseynov, Soviet colonel and Hero of the Soviet Union
• Chingis Izmailov (1944–2011), psychophysiologist
• Chingiz Mustafayev (1960–1992), journalist and disc jockey
• Sarhat Rashidova (1875–2007), supercentarian

Artists

• Mirza Gadim Iravani (1825–1875), painter and founder of Azerbaijani panel painting^[35]

Military

• Etibar Hajiyev (1971–1992), soldier^[36]
• Yahya Rahim Safavi (born 1958), Major General, Chief commander of IRGC (1997–2007)^[37]
• Habib bey Salimov (1881–1920), Major–General of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

Musicians

• Ashig Alasgar (1821–1926), poet and folk singer
• Said Rustamov (1907–1983), composer and conductor

Politicians

• Ismat Abbasov (born 1954), politician
• Avaz Alakbarov (born 1952), politician and economist
• Aziz Aliyev (1896–1962), politician
• Ogtay Asadov (born 1955), politician
• Zulfi Hajiyev (1935–1991), politician
• Misir Mardanov (born 1946), politician
• Shahin Mustafayev (born 1965), politician
• Akbar agha Sheykhulislamov (1891–1961), politician

Scientists

• Heydar Huseynov (1908–1950), philosopher
• Mammad agha Shahtakhtinski (1846–1931), linguist and politician
• Mustafa Topchubashov (1895–1981), surgeon and academician

Sports

• Ramazan Abbasov (born 1983), footballer
• Samir Aliyev (born 1979), footballer
• Rovshan Huseynov (born 1975), boxer
• Khagani Mammadov (born 1976), footballer
• Vitaliy Rahimov (born 1984), wrestler

Writers

• Farman Karimzade (1937–1989), writer, screenwriter and film director
• Hidayat Orujov (born 1944), writer and politician

Other notables

• Huseyn Seyidzadeh (1907–1983), film director

Belarus

• Natik Bagirov (born 1964), judoka
• Leila Ismailava (born 1989), journalist
• Kamandar Madzhidov (born 1961), Olympic, world and European wrestling champion
• Rashad Mammadov (born 1974), judoka

Iraq

Fuzûlî is considered one of the greatest contributors to the Dîvân tradition of Azerbaijani literature.

• Fuzûlî (1494–1556), poet and thinker
• Nasimi (1369–1417), mystical poet
• Amel Senan (born 1966), actress

France

• Robert Hossein (born 1927), film actor, director, and writer
• Irène Mélikoff (1917–2009), turkologist

Hungary

• Gábor Kubatov (born 1966), politician

Spain

• Eddy Pascual (born 1992), footballer

Turkmenistan

• Hajibala Abutalybov (born 1944), mayor of Baku
• Elnur Hüseynov (born 1987), singer
• Tahira Tahirova (1913–1991), politician

Ukraine

• Oleh Babayev (1965–2014), politician and mayor of Kremenchuk
• Fatma Gadri (1907–1968), actress
• Pavlo Pashayev (born 1988), footballer

Uzbekistan

• Stalic Khankishiev (born 1968), chef
• Movlud Miraliyev (born 1974), judoka