List of Kazakhs

This is a list of notable Kazakhs.

Actors, filmmakers and fashion models

• Shaken Aimanov (1914–1970), film director, actor
• Berik Aitjanov (born 1979), actor, film producer
• Timur Bekmambetov (born 1961), film director
• Ruslana Korshunova (1987–2008), international fashion model
• Rashid Nugmanov (born 1954), film director
• Gulshat Omarova (born 1968), writer, film director and actress
• Alyona Subbotina (born 1990), international fashion model

Artists

• Altynai Asylmuratova (born 1961), ballerina
• Aigana Gali (born Ayganim Sadykova, 1981), multimedia artist
• Abilkhan Kasteev (1904–1973), painter
• Aya Shalkar (born 1996), graphic designer

Businessmen

• Mukhtar Ablyazov (born 1963), businessman
• Timur Kulibayev (born 1966), businessman, son-in-law of Nursultan Nazarbayev
• Oleg Novachuk (born 1971), businessman, currently Chief Executive of Kazakhmys
• Dzhambulat Sarsenov (born 1961), businessman

Composers and musicians

• Roza Baglanova (1922–2011), opera singer
• Kulyash Baiseitova (1912–1957), opera singer
• Marat Bisengaliev (born 1962), violinist and director of Orchestras
• Alan Buribayev (born 1979), conductor
• Dos Mukasan (formed 1967), rock and pop music group
• Imanbek (born 2000), DJ and record producer
• Shamshi Kaldayakov (1930–1992), composer
• Dimash Kudaibergen (born 1994), singer
• Erik Kurmangaliev (1959–2008), opera singer
• Ninety One (formed 2015), Qpop band
• Kairat Nurtas (born 1989), singer
• Makhambet Otemisuly (1804–1846), akyn, composer, leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire
• Roza Rymbayeva (born 1957), singer
• Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev (1823–1896), composer, instrumentalist and folk artist
• Daneliya Tuleshova (born 2006), singer
• Ulytau (formed 2001), Folk metal, Neo-classical metal
• Tolkyn Zabirova (born 1970), singer
• Zhambyl Zhabayuly (1846–1945), Kazakh traditional folksinger

Heads of state

• Abu'l-Mansur Khan (1711–1781), khan of Middle jüz, leader of Kazakh Khanate (1771–1781)
• Abu'l-Khair Muhammed Khan (1693–1748), khan of the Kazakh Junior jüz (1725–1748)
• Burunduk Khan (?-1511), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1480–1510)
• Esim Khan (?-1628 (1643)), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1598–1628 (1643))
• Janibek Khan (1428–1480), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate (1465–1480)
• Qasim Khan (1445–1521), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1510–1521)
• Muhammed Khan (1480-1523), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1521-1523)
• Tahir Khan (?-1533), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1523-1533)
• Ahmed Khan (?-1536), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1533-1536)
• Haqnazar Khan (1509-1580), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1538-1580)
• Salqam-Jahangir Khan (1610-1652), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1643-1652)
• Kenesary Khan (1802–1847), khan of all three jüzes (1841–1847)
• Kerei Khan (?-1465), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate(1456–1465)
• Tauke Khan (?-1718), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1680–1718)
• Dinmukhamed Kunaev (1912–1993), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1960–1962, 1964–1986), Prime Minister, President Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences
• Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940), President of Kazakhstan
• Jumabay Shayahmetov (1902–1966), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1946–1954), former NKVD officer who participated in repressions against Kazakh people

Philosophers

• Al-Farabi (872–950), scientist, philosopher and mathematician
• Ibrahim Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904), poet, translator, composer and philosopher.
• Ahmad Yasavi (1106–1166), poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic)

Politicians and activists

• Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940), first President of Kazakhstan and current chair of the Nur Otan
• Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed (born 1960), Kazakh senator, former Deputy Chairman of the Nur Otan, and former advisor to the President of Kazakhstan
• Qasim-Jomart Toqaev (born 1953), Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, and current President of Kazakhstan
• Qabibullah Dzhakupov, former Chair of the Mazhilis from 2014 to 2016
• Muhammed Kopeev (born 1949), Kazakh senator, former Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan and Mazhilis, former Minister of Emergency Situations
• Muhammedjan Tynyshbayev (1879-1953), Kazakh engineer, ethnographer, historian, and political activist
• Byrganym Aitimova (born 1953), ambassador, minister, former Komsomol leader who supported Soviet government rogue actions against Kazakh people during Jeltoqsan
• Ahmed Baitursynuli (1873–1937), poet, writer and politician
• Ahmedjan Yessimov (born 1960), Kazakh politician and former chairman of Samruk-Kazyna
• Osman Bahadur (1899–1951), fighter for the freedom of the Kazakh people in Xinjiang
• Alikhan Bukeikhanov (1866–1937), writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Mir Yaqub Dulatuli (1885–1935), poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government
• Janabil (born 1934), politician in China
• Guljan Karagusova (born 1950), member of Majilis, Minister of Labour and Social Protection
• Ashat Kerimbay (born 1947), politician in China
• Oralbeg Abdu Kerimovic, Secretary General of the government of Kazakhstan
• Yurii Khitrin, Prosecutor General
• Eset Kotibaruli (1803–1889), leader of the anti-colonial war against Russian Empire
• Karim Massimov (born 1965), Prime Minister
• Bolat Nurgaliyev (born 1951), diplomat
• Makhambet Otemisuly (1804–1846), akyn, composer, leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire
• Qairat Rysqulbekov (1966–1988), participant in Jeltoqsan protests, posthumous Hero of Kazakhstan
• Kanat Saudabayev (born 1946), politician, Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Mustafa Shokay (1890–1941), leader of the Kokand revolt (1917) against the Bolsheviks
• Oljas Suleimenov (born 1936), poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist
• Imangali Tasmagambetov (born 1956), Prime Minister
• Isatay Taymanuly (1791–1838), leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire
• Marat Tazhin (born 1960), Foreign Minister
• Janseiıt Tüimebaev (born 1958), Minister of Education and Science
• Aman Tuleyev (born 1944), governor of Kemerovo Oblast, Russia

Military

• Nurken Abdirov (1919–1942), fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union
• Aidyn Aimbetov (born 1972), fighter pilot and cosmonaut
• Toktar Aubakirov (born 1946), first Kazakh in space, MP
• Rahim-Bek Bahadur (1705-?), warrior in the 18th century against Dzungars
• Nasrullah Nauryzbai Bahadur (1706-1781), Kazakh commander in the 18th century who fought against the Dzungars
• Talgat Bigeldinov (born 1922), Il-2 pilot, only Kazak twice awarded Hero of the Soviet Union
• Syrym Datuly (1712–1802), leader of the Kazakhs of the Junior Jüz
• Khiuaz Dospanova (1922–2008), aviation navigator, officer in the "night witches"
• Manshuk Mametova (1922–1943), World War II machine gunner, posthumous Hero of the Soviet Union
• Aliya Moldagulova (1925–1944), was a female Soviet sniper during World War II
• Bauırjan Momyshuly (1910–1982), writer, posthumous Hero of the Soviet Union for actions in World War II
• Talgat Musabayev (born 1951), test pilot, former cosmonaut, Director of Aerospace Agency of Republic of Kazakhstan
• Sagadat Nurmagambetov (1924–2013), was a Soviet and Kazakh general
• Rahimjan Qoshqarbaev (1924–1988), first soldier to raise the Soviet flag in the Reichstag

Scientists

Applied and Natural Science

• Ken Alibek (born 1950), microbiologist
• Kaisha Atakhanova (born 1957), genetic biologist
• Mukhtar Aymakhanov (born 1967), cosmonaut
• Alikhan Bukeikhanov (1866–1937), writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Shafik Chokin (1912–2003), engineer, President of Academy of Sciences
• Kanysh Satbayev (1899–1964), engineer, geologist, President of Academy of Sciences
• Muhammedjan Tynyshbayev (1879-1937), engineer, enthnographer, historian, activist

Social science

• Sarsen Amanzholov (1903–1958), linguist, Turkologist
• Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat (1499/1500–1551), historian, Chagatai Turco-Mongol military general
• Askar Dzhumadildayev (born 1956), mathematician
• Al-Farabi (872–950), scientist, philosopher and mathematician
• Orazak Ismagulov (born 1930), anthropologist
• Zhenis Kembayev (born 1975), jurist
• Marat Sarsembaev (born 1947), jurist
• Tokhtar Aubakirov, cosmonaut
• Talgat Musabayev, cosmonaut
• Aidyn Aimbetov, cosmonaut
• Mukhtar Aymakhanov, cosmonaut

Sportspersons

Boxers

• Adilbek Niyazymbetov– silver medal winner of the 2012 Summer Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympics
• Bakhtiyar Artayev (born 1983) – champion of the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Saken Bibossinov – bronze medal winner of the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov (born 1976) – silver medal winner of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Gennady Golovkin (born 1982) – silver medal winner of the 2004 Summer Olympics, current WBC, IBF, WBA Super Middleweight and IBO champion
• Yermakhan Ibraimov (born 1972) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics, champion of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Kanat Islam (born 1984) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics, WBA Inter-Continental, WBO NABO, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA Fedelatin, WBA Fedecaribe Super welterweight
• Serik Konakbayev (born 1959) – silver medal winner of the 1980 Summer Olympics
• Kamshybek Kunkabayev – bronze medal winner of the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Bulat Niyazymbetov (born 1972) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Serik Sapiyev (born 1983) – boxer, champion of the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Bakhyt Sarsekbayev (born 1981) – champion of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Bekzat Sattarkhanov (1980–2000) – champion of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Dariga Shakimova (born 1988) – bronze medal winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics
• Yerkebulan Shynaliyev (born 1987) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Daniyar Yeleussinov (born 1991) – champion of the 2016 Summer Olympics
• Serik Yeleuov (born 1980) – bronze medal winner of the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Yerdos Zhanabergenov (born 1983) – champion of the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships.
• Bulat Zhumadilov (born 1973) – silver medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics and 2000 Summer Olympics

Wrestling

Greek-Roman (Classic) style

• Asset Mambetov (born 1982) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Kazhymukan Munaitpasov (1871–1948) – first Kazakh who won a World Championship in 1908
• Walihan Sailike (Kazakh: Уалихан Сайлық) – Greco-Roman wrestler. Bronze medal winner in the 60 kg event at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships. Bronze medal winner in the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.
• Shamil Serikov (1956–1989) – champion of the 1980 Summer Olympics
• Elmurat Tasmuradov (born 1991) – bronze medal winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics
• Nurbakyt Tengizbayev(born 1983) – silver medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Daulet Turlykhanov (born 1963) – silver medal winner of the 1992 Summer Olympics, silver bronze-winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov (1951–2020) – champion of the 1980 Summer Olympics

Freestyle

• Islam Bairamukov (born 1971) – silver medal winner of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Maulen Mamyrov (born 1970) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Daulet Shabanbay (born 1983) – bronze medal winner of the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Elmira Syzdykova (born 1992) – bronze medal winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics
• Akzhurek Tanatarov (born 1986) – bronze medal winner of the 2012 Summer Olympics

Judo

• Aidyn Smagulov (born 1976) – judoka, bronze medal-winner of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Yeldos Smetov (born 1992) – judoka, silver medal-winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics, bronze medal-winner of the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Askhat Zhitkeyev (born 1981) – judoka, silver medal-winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics

Chess

• Bibisara Assaubayeva (born 2004) - International Master (IM), Woman's Grandmaster (WGM), and Women's World Blitz Champion (since 2021)
• Zhansaya Abdumalik (born 2000) – International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM)
• Darmen Sadvakasov (born 1978) – chess grandmaster

Ice hockey

• Evgeni Nabokov (born 1975) – former NHL goaltender (1995–2015).

Football

• Aigerim Aitymova (born 1993) – 2019 Kazakhstan women's national football team
• Seilda Baishakov (born 1950) – FC Kairat and Soviet Union national football team (1971–1981)
• Bauyrzhan Islamkhan (born 1993) – footballer, captain of Kazakhstan national team
• Serikzhan Muzhikov (born 1989) – FC Astana from 2014
• Samat Smakov (born 1978) – footballer, General Director for FC Aktobe
• Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov (born 1998) – Kazakh professional footballer, PFC CSKA
• Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev (born 1981) – former footballer, Sports Director for FC Tobol

Tennis

• Zarina Diyas (born 1993)

Other

• Dzinara Alimbekava (born 1996) – biathlete, Olympic Champion of the 2014 Winter Olympics
• Darkhan Assadilov – karateka, bronze medal winner of the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Assan Bazayev (born 1981) – cyclist
• Arman Chilmanov (born 1984) – taekwondo athlete, bronze prize-winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Dias Keneshev (born 1985) – biathlete
• Gusman Kosanov (born 1935) – sprinter, silver medal winner of the 1960 Summer Olympics
• Andrei Krukov (born 1971) – figure skater
• Nurlan Mendygaliyev (1961) – water polo player, bronze medal winner of the 1988 Summer Olympics
• Kaisar Nurmaganbetov (born 1977) – flatwater canoer
• Assan Takhtakhunov (born 1986) – ski jumper
• Denis Ten (1993–2018) – figure skater and 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2013 World Silver Medalist, and 2015 World Bronze Medalist
• Elizabet Tursynbayeva (born 2000) – figure skater and 2019 World Silver Medalist
• Alexander Vinokourov (born 1973) – cyclist
• Eduard Vinokurov (1942–2010) – Kazakh-born Soviet Olympic and world champion fencer
• Yernar Yerimbetov (born 1980) – gymnast
• Aliya Yussupova (born 1984) – athlete
• Radik Zhaparov (born 1984) – ski jumper
• Alzhan Zharmukhamedov (born 1944) – basketball player, Olympic Champion of the 1972 Summer Olympics, bronze medal winner of the 1976 Summer Olympics

Weightlifting

• Zulfiya Chinshanlo (born 1993) – champion of the 2012 Summer Olympics, bronze medal winner of the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Ilya Ilyin (born 1988) – champion of the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics
• Anna Nurmukhambetova (born 1993) – bronze medal winner of the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Zhazira Zhapparkul (born 1993) – silver medal winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics

Writers and poets

• Karina Abdullina (born 1976), poet and singer
• Ibrahim Altynsarin (1841–1889) – pedagogue, writer
• Mukhtar Auezov (1897–1961) – writer, public figure
• Ahmed Baitursynuli (1873–1937) – poet, writer, pedagogue and politician
• Alikhan Bukeikhanov (1866–1937) – writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Mir Yakub Dulatuli (1885–1935) – poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government
• Bukhar-zhirau Kalmakanov (1693–1789) – poet
• Aigul Kemelbayeva (born 1965) – prose writer and literary critic
• Baqytjan Kanapyanov (born 1951) – poet and lyricist
• Mukaghali Makatayev (1931–1976) – akyn, poet
• Bauyrjan Momyshuly (1910–1982) – writer, hero of the Soviet Union during World War II
• Sabid Mukanov (1900–1973) – poet and writer
• Gabit Musirepov (1902–1985) – writer, playwright
• Ibrahim Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904) – poet, composer and philosopher
• Saken Seifullin (1894–1939) – poet and writer, national activist
• Mukhtar Shakhanov (born 1942) – writer, lawmaker, ambassador
• Oljas Suleimenov (born 1936) – poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist
• Sultanmahmud Toraygirov (1893–1920) – poet and writer
• Tauman Torekhanov (born 1931) – writer, journalist and executive editor
• Muhammed Shoqan Qanafiya Shynghysuly Walikhanov (1835–1865) – scholar, ethnographer and historian
• Ahmad Yasawi (1106–1166) – poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic)
• Zhambyl Zhabayuly (1846–1945) – akyn, student of Suinbay
• Muhammedjan Jumabayev (1893–1938) – writer, publicist, founder of modern Kazakh literature
• Qabdesh Zhumadilov (1936-2021) – writer

Gallery

• 
  Assan Bazayev
• 
  Talgat Musabayev
• 
  Mukhtar Shakhanov
• 
  Aliya Yussupova
• 
  Absattar Derbisali

See also

• List of people by nationality

External links

• Great People of Kazakhstan