List of Kazakhs
Appearance
This is a list of notable Kazakhs.
Actors, filmmakers and fashion models
- Shaken Aimanov (1914–1970), film director, actor
- Berik Aitzhanov (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
- Abilkhan Kasteev (1904–1973), painter
- Aya Shalkar (born 1996), graphic designer
- Dariya Kozhasbay
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
- 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)
- 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)
- Kasym Khan (1445–1521), leader of the Kazakh Khanate (1510–1521)
- 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
- Zhumabay Shayakhmetov (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
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (born 1953), Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, and current President of Kazakhstan
- Qabibullah Dzhakupov, former Chair of the Mazhilis from 2014 to 2016
- 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 Yakub Dultauli (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
- Raiymbek Batyr (1705-?), warrior in the 18th century against 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
- Bauyrzhan 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
- Rakhimzhan 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
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
Sportspersons
Boxers
- 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
- 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
- Alexander Bublik (born 1997)
- Zarina Diyas (born 1993)
- Mikhail Kukushkin (born 1987)
- Yulia Putintseva (born 1995)
- Elena Rybakina (born 1999)
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
- 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 (born 1936) – writer