18 historically significant individuals born on May 17. May 17 is the birth date of several notable figures from different fields and time periods. Born on this date are Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani (1862), Spanish King Alfonso XIII (1886), Malaysian royal Sirajuddin I of Perlis (1943), Slovenian politician and former president Janez Drnovšek (1950), and Irish singer Enya (1961). These individuals have made contributions to art, politics, and music over more than a century.
Total Born
18
Countries
17
Top Century
20th· 6
Top Field
politician
3 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (6)
19th (5)
18th (5)
11th C.20th C.
20th Century
6Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Ferenc Krausz
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (2023)
Enya
composerpianist
Irish singer-songwriter who achieved global success with her ethereal Celtic music and multi-layered vocal arrangements. She has sold over 75 million records worldwide and won four Grammy Awards.
Janez Drnovšek
bankerbusinessperson
Slovenian statesman who served as Prime Minister (1992-2002) and President (2002-2007), playing a crucial role in Slovenia's independence and EU accession. He was known for his spiritual transformation in later years and his efforts toward global consciousness.
Cristian Gamboa
association football player
Costa Rican right-back defender who played for clubs including Celtic FC and represented the national team in World Cup competitions.
Sirajuddin I of Perlis
politician
Current Raja of Perlis since 2000, Malaysia's smallest state, and served as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (2001-2006).
Omar Razzaz
politician
Economist and former World Bank official who served as Prime Minister of Jordan from 2018 to 2020.
19th Century
5Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Odd Hassel
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1969)
Ruhollah Khomeini
akhoondcleric
Supreme Leader of Iran from 1979 to 1989
Niko Pirosmani
painter
Self-taught Georgian primitivist painter whose naive style depicting Georgian life gained international recognition posthumously.
Virginie Loveling
poetpolitician
Author of poetry, novels, essays and children's stories from Flanders, Belgium (1836-1923)
Alfonso XIII
sovereign
The last king of Spain before the Second Spanish Republic, who reigned from birth in 1886 until his abdication in 1931 following municipal elections that favored republicans.
18th Century
5Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
William Everhart
civil engineerengineer
American politician (1785-1868)
Élie Bertrand
encyclopédistesgeologist
Swiss scientist
Anne Isabella Byron
activistaristocrat
English educational reformer and philanthropist (1792-1860)
Marcellin Jobard
editorexlibrist
Belgian inventor, lithographer and photographer (1792–1861)
Matthew Maty
librarianwriter
Dutch physician
15th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Andrea Alciato
historianjurist
Italian jurist and writer (1492–1550)
11th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Anawrahta
king
Founder of the Pagan Empire
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 17?
Enya, the Irish singer and composer known for her ethereal music, was born on May 17, 1961. Her albums like 'Watermark' and 'Shepherd Moons' have been widely popular, with over 80 million records sold worldwide.
Were any royalty or political leaders born on May 17?
Yes, several political figures were born on May 17, including Alfonso XIII, King of Spain from 1886 to 1931, Sirajuddin I, Raja of Perlis in Malaysia, and Janez Drnovšek, President of Slovenia from 2002 to 2007. Alfonso XIII was born on May 17, 1886, and Drnovšek was born in 1950.
Are there any famous artists born on May 17?
Niko Pirosmani, a renowned Georgian primitive painter, was born on May 17, 1862. Known for his folk art style and depictions of Georgian life, his work remains iconic in Georgian culture.