List of Kazakhs

This is a list of notable Kazakhs.

Actors, filmmakers and fashion models

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

Artists

• Altynai Asylmuratova (born 1961), ballerina
• Abylkhan Kasteev (1904–1973), painter
• Aya Shalkar (born 1996), graphic designer

Businessmen

• Timur Kulibayev (born 1966), businessman
• Oleg Novachuk (born 1971), businessman, currently Chief Executive of Kazakhmys
• Dzhambulat Zhakievich Sarsenov (born 1961), businessman

Composers and musicians

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

Heads of state

• Ablai Khan (1711–1781), khan of Middle jüz, leader of Kazakh Khanate (1771–1781)
• Abul Khair Khan (1693–1748), khan of Junior jüz (1725–1748)
• Zhumabay Shayakhmetov (1902–1966), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1946–1954)
• Dinmukhamed Kunayev (1912–1993), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR (1960–1962, 1964–1986), Prime Minister, President Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences
• Nursultan Nazarbaev (born 1940), President of Kazakhstan
• Kerei Khan (?-1465), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate(1456–1465)
• Janybek Khan (1428–1480), founder and co-leader of Kazakh Khanate (1465–1480)
• Burunduk Khan (?-1511), leader of the Kazakh Khanate(1480–1510)
• Kasym Khan (1445–1521), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1510–1521)
• Kenesary Khan (1802–1847), khan of all three jüzes (1841–1847)
• Tauke Khan (?-1718), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1680–1718)
• Esim Khan(?-1628(1643)), leader of the Kazakh Khanate(1598–1628(1643))

Philosophers

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

Politicians and activists

• Alikhan Bokeikhanov (1866–1937), writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Akhmet Baitursynov (1873–1937), poet, writer and politician
• Mustafa Shokay (1890–1941), leader of the Kokand revolt (1917) against the Bolsheviks
• Osman Batur (1899–1951), (also referred to as Ospan) fighter for the freedom of the Qazaq people in Xinjiang
• Mirjaqip Dulatuli (1885–1935), poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government
• Eset Kotibaruli (1803–1889), leader of the anti-colonial war against Russian Empire
• Isatay Taymanuly (1791–1838), leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire
• Makhambet Otemisuly (1804–1846), akyn, composer, leader of rebellious movement against Russian Empire
• Olzhas Suleimenov (born 1936), poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist
• Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (born 1953), Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, 2nd President of Kazakhstan
• Karim Masimov (born 1965), Prime Minister
• Imangali Tasmagambetov (born 1956), Prime Minister
• Byrganym Aytimova (born 1953), ambassador, minister
• Janabil (born 1934), politician in China
• Gulzhana Karagusova (born 1950), member of Majilis, Minister of Labor and Social Protection
• Ashat Kerimbay (born 1947), politician in China
• Oralbeg Abdu Kerimovic, Secretary General of the government of Kazakhstan
• Yurii Khitrin, Prosecutor General
• Bolat Nurgaliyev (born 1951), diplomat
• Qairat Rysqulbekov (1966–1988), participant in Jeltoqsan protests, posthumous Hero of Kazakhstan
• Kanat Saudabayev (born 1946), politician, Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Zhumabay Shayakhmetov (1902–1966), First Secretary of the Kazakh SSR
• Marat Tazhin (born 1960), Foreign Minister
• Zhanseit Tuimebayev (born 1958), Minister of Education and Science
• Aman Tuleev (born 1944), governor of Kemerovo Oblast, Russia
• Nursultan Nazarbayev, 1st President of Kazakhstan, Chairman of Nur Otan

Military

• Nurken Abdirov (1919–1942), fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union
• Toktar Aubakirov (born 1946), first Kazakh in space, MP
• Raiymbek Batyr (1705-?), warrior in the 18th century against Dzungars
• Talgat Begeldinov (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
• Baurzhan 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
• Rakhimzhan Qoshqarbaev (1924–1988), first soldier to raise the Soviet flag in the Reichstag

Scientists

Applied and Natural Science

• Alikhan Bokeikhanov (1866–1937), writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Shafik Chokin (1912–2003), engineer, President of Academy of Sciences
• Kanysh Satpayev (1899–1964), engineer, geologist, President of Academy of Sciences
• Ken Alibek (born 1950), microbiologist
• Kaisha Atakhanova (born 1957), genetic biologist

Social science

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

Sportspersons

Boxers

• Serik Konakbaev (born 1959) – silver medal winner of the 1980 Summer Olympics
• Bolat Niyazymbetov (born 1972) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Yermakhan Ibraimov (born 1972) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics, champion of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Bekzat Sattarkhanov (1980–2000) – champion of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Bulat Jumadilov (born 1973) – silver medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics and 2000 Summer Olympics
• Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov (born 1976) – silver medal winner of the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Bakhtiyar Artayev (born 1983) – champion of the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Serik Yeleuov (born 1980) – bronze medal winner of the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Bakhyt Sarsekbayev (born 1981) – champion of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Yerkebulan Shynaliyev (born 1987) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Serik Sapiyev (born 1983) – boxer, champion of the 2012 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
• Yerdos Zhanabergenov (born 1983) – boxer
• Gennady Golovkin (born 1982) – silver medal winner of the 2004 Summer Olympics, current WBC, IBF, WBA Super Middleweight and IBO champion

Wrestling

Greek-Roman (Classic) style

• Shamil Serikov (1956–1989) – champion of the 1980 Summer Olympics
• Jacksylyk Ushkempirov (born 1951) – champion of the 1980 Summer Olympics
• Daulet Turlykhanov (born 1963) – silver medal winner of the 1992 Summer Olympics, silver bronze-winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Nurbakyt Tengizbayev(born 1983) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Asset Mambetov (born 1982) – bronze medal winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics

Freestyle

• Maulen Mamyrov (born 1970) – bronze medal winner of the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Islam Bairamukov (born 1971) – silver medal winner of the 2000 Summer Olympics

Judo

• Askhat Zhitkeyev (born 1981) – judoka, silver medal-winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Yeldos Smetov (born 1992) – judoka, silver medal-winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics

Chess

• 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).

Soccer

• Aigerim Aitymova (born 1993) - 2019 Kazakhstan women's national football team
• Seilda Baishakov (born 1950) – FC Kairat (1971 -1981)
• Samat Smakov (born 1978) – footballer, General Director for FC Aktobe
• Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev (born 1981) – footballer, Sports Director for FC Tobol
• Kairat Ashirbekov (born 1982) – FC Ordabasy from 2010
• Serikzhan Muzhikov (born 1989) - FC Astana from 2014
• Madi Zhakypbayev (born 2000) - FC Astana from 2016
• Baktiyar Zaynutdinov (born 1998) – Kazakh professional footballer, FC Rostov from 2019
• Bauyrzhan Islamkhan (born 1993) – Kazakh professional footballer, captain FC Kairat from 2014
• Yerkebulan Seydakhmet (born 2000) – Kazakh professional footballer FC Ufa from 2018

Tennis

• Alexander Bublik (Born 1997)
• Mikhail Kukushkin (Born 1987)
• Yulia Putintseva (Born 1995)
• Elena Rybakina (Born 1999)

Other

• Assan Bazayev (born 1981) – cyclist
• Arman Chilmanov (born 1984) – taekwondo athlete, bronze prize-winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Andrey Kryukov (born 1971) - Figure Skater
• Dias Keneshev (born 1985) – biathlete
• Kaisar Nurmagambetov (born 1977) – flatwater canoer
• Boris Polak (born 1954) – Israeli world champion and Olympic sport shooter
• Qajymuqan (1871–1948) – freestyle wrestler
• 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

Weightlifting

• Ilya Ilyin (born 1988) – champion of the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics
• Zulfiya Chinshanlo (born 1993) – champion of the 2012 Summer Olympics

Writers and poets

• Khoja Akhmet Yassawi (1106–1166) – poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic)
• Bukhar-zhirau Kalmakanov (1693–1789) – poet
• Shokan Walikhanuli (1835–1865) – scholar, ethnographer and historian
• Ibrahim Altynsarin (1841–1889) – pedagogue, writer
• Abay Qunanbayuli (1845–1904) – poet, composer and philosopher
• Jambyl Jabayev (1846–1945) – akyn, student of Suinbay
• Alikhan Bokeikhanov (1866–1937) – writer, political activist and environmental scientist
• Akhmet Baytursinuli (1873–1937) – poet, writer, pedagogue and politician
• Mirjaqip Dulatuli (1885–1935) – poet, writer and a leader of Alash Orda government
• Sultanmahmut Toraygirov (1893–1920) – poet and writer
• Magzhan Zhumabayev (1893–1938) – writer, publicist, founder of modern Kazakh literature
• Saken Seyfullin (1894–1939) – poet and writer, national activist
• Mukhtar Auezov (1897–1961) – writer, public figure
• Baurzhan Momyshuly (1910–1982) – writer, hero of the Soviet Union during World War II
• Sabit Mukanov (1900–1973) – poet and writer
• Gabit Musirepov (1902–1985) – writer, playwright
• Mukaghali Makatayev (1931–1976) – akyn, poet
• Tauman Torekhanov (born 1931) – writer, journalist and executive editor
• Qabdesh Jumadilov (born 1936) – writer
• Olzhas Suleimenov (born 1936) – poet, politician, and anti-nuclear activist
• Mukhtar Shakhanov (born 1942) – writer, lawmaker, ambassador
• Bakhytzhan Kanapyanov (born 1951) – poet and lyricist
• Karina Abdullina (born 1976), poet and singer

Gallery

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

See also

• List of people by nationality

External links

• Great People of Kazakhstan