Lists of Albanians

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Albanians
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Origin of the Albanians History of Albania

This is a list of historical and living Albanians (including ethnic Albanians and people of full or partial Albanian ancestry) who are famous or notable, sorted by occupation and alphabetically.

• Dhimitër Frëngu (1443 – 1525), friar and scholar of a noble family, treasurer and councilor of Giorgio Castriota, in 1480 wrote the first biography, in Latin, on the life of Skanderbeg, from which all later writers drew.
• Father Marin Barleti (1450 – 1513), Catholic ecclesiastic and writer, author of the life of Skanderbeg.
• Gjon Buzuku (1499 – 1577), bishop Catholic, author of the oldest known document in Albanian: a translation of the Roman Missal, "Meshari" (1555).
• Pjetër Budi (1565 – 1622), Catholic priest and writer, published three books in Albanian and I leave several poems in his native language.
• Papa Luca Matranga (1567 – 1619), priest and scholar, author of the first literary expression arbëresh of the Albanians in diaspora.
• Frang Bardhi (1606 – 1644), Catholic bishop, lexicographer, folklorist and ethnographer, author of the first dictionary of the Albanian language known so far.
• Pjetër Bogdani (1630 – 1689), Catholic bishop and writer, author of the first Albanian work in prose.
• Papa Nikollë Filja (1691 – 1769), priest and writer.
• Nicoleta Kenini (2005-), writer and priest
• Mons. Giuseppe Crispi (1781 – 1859), one of the major figures of the Arbëresh community of Sicily of that era, wrote a number of works on the Albanian language.
• Papa Francesco Antonio Santori (1819 – 1894), writer, poet and playwright.
• Nikoll Kaçorri (1862 – 1917), Catholic religious, politician and patriot, deputy prime minister with Ismail Kemal, in the first Albanian government (1912–1913).
• Gjergj Fishta (1871 – 1940), Franciscan friar, poet, politician and translator.
• Mons. Theofan Stilian Noli (1882 – 1965), bishop and intellectual, writer, scholar, diplomat, politician, historian, orator, founder of the Orthodox Church of Albania.
• Papa Marco La Piana (1883 – 1958), priest and scholar, gave his contribute through his studies on Albanian language.
• Anton Harapi (1888 – 1946), Franciscan friar, teacher, writer and politician.
• Zef Valentini (1900 – 1979), Italian Jesuit, albanologist, byzantinist and historian, naturalized Albanian.
• Cyril of Bulgaria (1901 – 1971), the first Patriarch of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, born of an Albanian family.
• Father Zef Pllumi (1924 – 2007), Franciscan priest and writer, author of the memoirs of Christian religious persecution in Albania.
• Mons. Ercole Lupinacci (1933 – 2016), Bishop of Italo-Albanian Catholic Eparchies of Piana degli Albanesi and Lungro.
• Mons. Sotir Ferrara (1937 – 2017), the Bishop of the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi, a diocese of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church in Sicily, Italy.
• Papa Eleuterio Francesco Fortino (1938 – 2010), priest of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church, Archimandrite in the Eparchy of Lungro in Calabria, served as the Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and albanolog.
• Arch. Rrok Kola Mirdita (1939 – 2015), Catholic archbishop.
• Mons. Angelo Massafra (born 1949), metropolitan archbishop of Scutari-Pult and president of the Albanian Episcopal Conference.
• Mons. Donato Oliverio (born 1956), Bishop of the Eparchy of Lungro.
• Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, Islamic scholar (specialising in the field of Hadith sciences) and Muslim revivalist in the 20th century. He is well known for his anti-extremist leanings all over the Muslim world.

• Papa Kristo Negovani (1875 – 1905), religious leader and writer for the Albanian cause.
• Father Daniel Dajani (1906 – 1946), Jesuit religious and martyr, of the Catholic Church, killed by the regime during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
• Stath Melani (1858-1917) was an Albanian Orthodox priest who participated in the Congress of Manastir and helped spread awareness of the Albanian written language in southern Albania.

• Pope Clement XI (1649 – 1721), Pope of the Catholic Church.

• Saint Papa Josif Papamihali (1912 – 1948), priest of Byzantine rite, formed in the Albanian communities of Italy, martyr of the Albanian Greek-Catholic Church, arrested, sentenced to forced labor, and killed during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
• Saint Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997), Roman Catholic religious and missionary.
• Saint Astius (2nd century AD), bishop of Dyrrhachium, martyr and saint venerated by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
• Saint Pelinus (c. 620 – 5 December 662), native of Dyrrhachium and later Bishop of Brindisi in Italy.
• Saint Angelina of Serbia (1440–1520), the Albanian Despotess consort of Serbian Despot Stefan Branković (r. 1458–1459), and a daughter of Albanian nobleman Gjergj Arianiti. She was proclaimed a saint and venerated as such by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
• Saint John Koukouzelis (1300–c. 1350) recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
• Saints Eleutherius and Antia venerated as Christian saints and martyrs in Greece and Albania by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.Saint Christos the Arvanid Saint Christos the Arvanid or the gardener (Albanian: Shën Kristo Kopshtari) was an 18th-century Eastern Orthodox saint from Albania.
• Therinus (Albanian: Terin, Greek: Θερινός), also known as Therius of Buthrotum, was a Christian saint revered in Albania.
• Nicodemus of Elbasan The new martyr Nicodems also known as Nicodemus of Berat (Albanian: Shën Nikodhimi i Beratit) was born in Vithkuq in present-day Albania. He was married and had children there. Later he converted to Islam and then became a Christian again, at Mount Athos, Greece. After three years he decided to return in his native town, informing the Muslim authorities of his decision. He was beheaded on 11 July 1722. His relics are venerated in Berat.Nephon II of Constantinople (Greek: Νήφων; died 11 August 1508), born Nicholas (Νικόλαος), was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople three times: from 1486 to 1488, from 1497 to 1498 and for a short time in 1502. He is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and his feast day is August 11.
• Shtjefën Kurti (24 December 1898 – 20 October 1971) was an Albanian Roman Catholic priest killed during a period of communist persecution.
• Çiprian Nika, OFM (Shkodër, 19 July 1900 – 11 March 1948) was an Albanian Catholic priest, Franciscan, teacher, and publicist.
• Saint Laura of Constantinople (died 1453) was a Christian who lived in Constantinople during the 15th century. She was born in Greece into a noble family: her father was a Latin knight named Michael and her mother was Albanian. Her name was Theodolinde Trasci. After she became a nun in Constantinople, she changed it into Laura, eventually rising to become an abbess. She was martyred by the Ottoman Turks who took Constantinople on 29 May 1453. They scalded her to death with the other 52 sisters of her convent.
• Bernardin Palaj (20 October 1894 — 8 December 1947) was an Albanian Franciscan friar, folklorist and poet.Vinçenc Prennushi (born Nikoll Prendushi, 4 September 1885 – 19 March 1949) was an Albanian Roman Catholic professed member from the Order of Friars Minor and he served as the Archbishop of Durrës from 1940 until his death.
• Qerim Sadiku (12 February 1919 – 4 March 1946) was a Catholic Albanian blessed who had converted from Islam. He was executed by a firing squad in Shkodër along with clerics Danjel Dajani, Giovanni Fausti, Gjon Shllaku, Mark Çuni and Gjelosh Lulashi.
• Lazër Shantoja (7 July 1891 – 5 March 1945) was an Albanian blessed, publicist, poet, satirist, and translator into Albanian from Goethe, Schiller and Leopardi, as well as his country's first Esperantist.
• Alfons Tracki (2 December 1896 – 18 July 1946) was an Albanian Catholic priest of German origin, who died as a martyr as a result of the religious persecution by the regime of Enver Hoxha in communist Albania.
• Maria Tuci was an Albanian laywoman and Roman Catholic martyr from Lezhë who was imprisoned and died in Shkodra.

• Teki Biçoku (1926–2009)  – geologist; former member and president of the Academy of Sciences of Albania
• Gjon Gazulli (1400–1465) – astronomer
• Pandi Geço – geographer
• Shtjefën Gjeçovi (1874–1929)  – ethnographer
• Sotir Kuneshka – physicist
• Rexhep Meidani  – physicist
• Laura Mersini-Houghton  – Albanian-American cosmologist and theoretical physicist; associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; proponent of the multiverse hypothesis which holds that our universe is one of many^[5]
• Betim Muço – seismologist
• Ferid Murad (1936–2023)  – physician and pharmacologist; co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Shefqet Pllana (1918–1994) – ethnographer
• Niko Qafzezi (1914–1998)  – agronomist and pedagogue
• Nijazi Ramadani (born 1964)  – ethnographer
• Andrea Shundi (born 1934) – agronomist of the 20th and 21st century
• Xhezair Teliti  – mathematician

• Gëzim Alpion  – academic, political analyst, writer, playwright, and civil society activist
• Albert Doja (born 1957)  – social anthropologist, member of the National Albanian Academy of Sciences and University Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lille, France.^[9]

• Skanderbeg (1405–1468) – 15th-century Albanian lord; "Hero of Christianism"; initiated and organized the League of Lezhë, which proclaimed him Chief of the League of the Albanian people
• Karl Thopia (Albanian: Karl Topia; 1331 – January 1388) was an Albanian feudal prince and warlord who ruled Albanian domains from 1358 until the first Ottoman conquest of Albania in 1388. He claimed the titles Prince of Albania, Lord of Krujë and Duke of Durrës
• Andrea II Muzaka (c. 1318-1372) was an Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family and the ruler of the Principality of Muzaka in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, Teodor I Muzaka, who died around 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from the southern Adriatic coastline of Albania in the west to Kastoria in the east by the time of his death in 1372. He claimed the titles Despot of the Kingdom of Albania, Marshal of Albania and Despot of Epirus.
• Demetrio Progoni (Albanian: Dhimitër Progoni) was an Albanian leader who ruled as Prince of the Albanians from 1208 to 1216 the Principality of Arbanon, the first Albanian state. He was the successor and brother of Gjin Progoni and their father, Progon of Kruja.Gjin Progoni (Latin: Ginius) was an archon (or lord) of Kruja, located in present-day Albania, from c. 1198 until his death in 1208. He succeeded his father, Progon of Kruja, becoming the second ruler of the Principality of Arbanon. During his reign, he controlled the areas around Elbasan and the fortress of Krujë. He also maintained good ties with the Despotate of Epirus due to the Venetian threat in northern Epirus. Gjin was succeeded by his younger brother Dhimitër Progoni.
• Progon was the first Albanian ruler known by name, an archon of the Kruja Fortress (modern Krujë) and its surroundings, known as the Principality of Arbanon. He ruled between 1190 and 1198. Progon was succeeded by his two sons, Gjin, and Dimitri.
• Gregorios Kamonas (fl. c. 1215 – ?) was the Greek-Albanian Lord or Prince of Krujë (Arbanon) in c. 1215. Demetrios Chomatenos (1216–1236) mentioned him as having the title of sebastos, given to him by the emperor Alexios III Angelos after 1205, during his stay in the Despotate of Epirus at the court of his nephew Michael I Komnenos Doukas. He first married the daughter of Gjin Progoni, then married Serbian princess Komnena Nemanjić, the daughter of King Stefan Nemanjić and widow of Dimitri Progoni, thus inheriting the rule of Arbanon. He strengthened ties with Serbia and secured Arbanon through an Orthodox alliance. He had a daughter together with Komnena, who married Golem of Kruja the later lord of Kruje.
• Golem of Kruja was an Albanian nobleman who ruled the Principality of Arbanon, in its phase of semi-independency. He was the last ruler of Arbanon before its final annexation in the reemerging Byzantine Empire. His holdings included Krujë and probably Ohrid.
• Leke III Dukagjini (1410-1481) was a 15th-century member of the Albanian nobility, from the Dukagjini family. A contemporary of Skanderbeg, Dukagjini is known for the Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit, a code of law instituted among the tribes of northern Albania. Dukagjini is believed to have been born in Lipjan, Kosovo.
• Zog (born Ahmed Muhtar Zogolli; 8 October 1895 – 9 April 1961) was the leader of Albania from 1922 to 1939. At age 27, he first served as Albania's youngest ever Prime Minister (1922–1924), then as president (1925–1928), and finally as king (1928–1939).

• Ramiz Alia (1925-2011)
• Taulant Balla (born 1977)
• Sali Berisha (born 1944)
• Enver Hoxha (1908-1985)
• Besiana Kadare (born 1973)
• Ravesa Lleshi (born 1976)
• Ilir Meta (born 1969)
• Fatos Nano (born 1952)
• Agim Nesho (born 1956)
• Ismail Kemal (1844-1919)
• Edi Rama (born 1964)
• Ibrahim Rugova (1944-2006)
• Dashnor Shehi, 20th-century
• Mehmet Shehu (1913-1981)
• Hashim Thaçi (born 1968)
• Esad Toptani (died 1920)
• Ahmet Zogu (1895-1961)

• Anri Sala (born 1974) – contemporary artist
• Armando Lulaj (born 1980) - contemporary artist
• Burim Myftiu (born 1961) – contemporary photographer
• Ilia Xhokaxhi (1948–2007)  – scenographer
• Pleurad Xhafa (born 1984) - contemporary artist
• Saimir Strati (born 1966)  – multi-media artist, achieved six Guinness World Records

• Agim Sulaj (born 1960)  – illustrator and cartoonist
• Ali Dino (1889–1938)  – cartoonist
• Fahri Axhanela  – cartoonist
• Shyqri Nimani (1941–2023)  – graphic designer

• Spiro Çomora (1918–1973)
• Besim Dina (born 1971)
• Zyrafete Gashi (1955–2013)
• Ermal Mamaqi (born 1982)

• Ilir Bajri (born 1969)
• Lola Gjoka (1910-1985)
• Mariela Cingo (born 1978)
• Paul Leka (1943-2011)
• Pjetër Dungu (1908-1989)

• Shkëlzen Doli (born 1971)

• Bledar Sejko (born 1985)
• D.J. Ashba (born 1972)
• Dren Abazi (born 1985)
• Faton Macula (born 1972)

• Petrit Çeku (born 1985)

• Admir Mehmedi (born 1991)
• Altin Rraklli (born 1970)
• Andi Lila (born 1986)
• Ansi Agolli (born 1982)
• Anxhelo Mumajesi (born 1997)
• Armando Sadiku (born 1991)
• Artim Shaqiri (born 1973)
• Besart Berisha (born 1985)
• Blerim Džemaili (born 1986)
• Cyme Lulaj (born 1989)
• Elseid Hysaj (born 1994)
• Erjon Bogdani (born 1977)
• Ervin Skela (born 1976)
• Fatmire Bajramaj (born 1988)
• Granit Xhaka (born 1992)
• Hamdi Salihi (born 1984)
• Igli Tare (born 1973)
• Kosovare Asllani (born 1989)
• Kristjan Asllani (born 2002)
• Lorik Cana (born 1983)
• Loro Boriçi (1922–1984)
• Mehmet Durakovic (born 1965)
• Migjen Basha (born 1987)
• Nedim Bajrami (born 1999)
• Panajot Pano (1939–2010)
• Perlat Musta (born 1958)
• Qemal Vogli (1929–2004)
• Rudi Vata (born 1969)
• Shkodran Mustafi (born 1992)
• Sulejman Demollari (born 1964)
• Taulant Xhaka (born 1991)
• Thomas Strakosha (born 1995)
• Valon Behrami (born 1985)
• Xherdan Shaqiri (born 1991)

• Azem Maksutaj – kickboxer
• Aziz Salihu – boxer
• Besim Kabashi – kickboxer
• Elis Guri – wrestler
• Enver Idrizi – Karate World Champion
• Ilir Latifi – MMA fighter
• Kreshnik Qato – boxer
• Luan Krasniqi – boxer
• Majlinda Kelmendi – Judo World and Olympic Champion (2017)
• Majlinda Kelmendi – judoka
• Naim Terbunja – boxer
• Nuri Seferi – boxer
• Gzim Selmani  – MMA fighter and pro wrestler
• Roman Reign  – wrestler
• Sahit Prizreni – wrestler
• Shaban Sejdiu – wrestler
• Shaban Tërstena – wrestler
• Valdrin Vatnikaj – kickboxer
• Xhavit Bajrami – boxer and kickboxer

• Adem Yze (born 1977) – Australian rules footballer
• Aldo Zadrima (born 1948) – former national chess champion
• Donald Suxho (born 1976) – US Olympic team volleyball player
• Emerson Jeka (born 2001) – Australian rules footballer
• Erjon Tola (born 1986) – Olympic skier
• Ermal Kuqo (born 1980) – basketball player for the Turkish team Anadolu Efes
• Frank Leskaj (born 1971) – Olympic swimmer
• Harley Reid (born 2005) – Australian rules footballer^[29]
• John Ibrahim (born 1943) - Australian Rules footballer.
• Linda Zetchiri (born 1987) – badminton player
• Molly Qerim (born 1984) – sports anchor and moderator for ESPN's First Take.
• Rrapush Papoj (born 1965) – cyclist, coach
• Tie Domi (born 1969) – ice hockey player

• Arbanasi
• Arbëreshë people
• Arvanites
• Cham Albanians
• Albanians in Kosovo
• Albanians in Montenegro
• Albanians in North Macedonia