List of Cypriots

The following is a list of Cypriots notable enough to have their own article. They are sorted by field, then by surname (both in alphabetical order).

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Academics and scientists

• Demis Hassabis (born 1976), Computer Scientist. Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of DeepMind
• Kyriacos A. Athanasiou (born 1960), biomedical engineer
• Mehmet Aziz (1893–1991), medical doctor credited with eradicating malaria in Cyprus
• Ulus Baker (1960–2007), sociologist
• Niyazi Berkes (1908–1988), sociologist
• Gülsen Bozkurt (born 1950), haematologist
• Mustafa Camgöz (born 1952), professor of cancer biology at Imperial College London
• Mehmet Çakıcı (born 1966), psychiatrist
• Anastasios Christodoulou (1932–2002), foundation secretary of the Open University
• Andreas Demetriou (born 1950), developmental psychologist and former Minister of Education and Culture of Cyprus
• Eleftherios Diamandis (born 1952), professor of clinical biochemistry at the University of Toronto
• Georgios P. Georgiou (born 1987), academic, linguist
• Nicos Kartakoullis (born 1967), professor at the University of Nicosia
• Niyazi Kızılyürek (born 1959), political scientist and MEP
• Kyriacos C. Markides (born 1942), professor of sociology and author
• Kypros Nicolaides (born 1953), obstetrician
• Kyriacos Costa Nicolaou (born 1946), chemist
• C. L. Max Nikias (born 1952), president of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles
• Andreas G. Orphanides (born 1955), Professor and former Rector European University Cyprus
• Athanasios Orphanides (born 1962), economist
• Kamil Özerk (born 1954), pedagogue
• Panikos Panayi (born 1962), professor, academic, historian and author De Montfort University
• Irena Papadopoulos, head of transcultural studies in health at Middlesex University
• Costas N. Papanicolas (born 1950), nuclear physicist and former president of The Cyprus Institute
• Christopher A. Pissarides (born 1948), economist, Nobel Prize laureate
• Andreas Pitsillides (born 1977), theologian
• Sophocles Sophocleous, art historian
• Symeon C. Symeonides (born 1949), dean of the Willamette University College of Law
• Chris Toumazou (born 1961), electronic engineer and Regius Professor of engineering at Imperial College London
• Andrekos Varnava (born 1979), professor, academic, historian and author Flinders University
• Marius Vassiliou (born 1957), computational physicist and research executive
• Vamık Volkan (born 1932), psychiatrist and author
• Panayiotis Zavos (born 1944), geneticist

Actors

• Zeki Alasya, actor
• Angie Bowie, actress, personality
• Feri Cansel, erotic actress
• Jamie Demetriou, actor
• Natasia Demetriou, actress, What We Do in the Shadows , Stath Lets Flats
• Hazar Ergüçlü, actress, The Wild Pear Tree , Medcezir
• Dimitri Leonidas, actor, Sinbad , Tormented
• Georgina Leonidas, actress, The Basil Brush Show , Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
• Stephanie Leonidas, actress, Defiance , Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend
• Rolandos Liatsos (born 1990), actor
• Sotiris Moustakas (1940–2007), Greek/Cypriot comedy actor
• Ada Nicodemou (born 1977), actress, Home and Away
• Hal Ozsan, actor, Dawson's Creek , Kyle XY
• Peter Polycarpou, actor

Artists

Main article: List of Cypriot artists

Business

• John Christodoulou, property developer
• Suat Günsel, billionaire
• Stelios Haji-Ioannou, entrepreneur, owner of EasyGroup
• Dakis Joannou, J&P
• Lycourgos Kyprianou, former chairman of GlobalSoft and AremisSoft Corp
• Anastasios George Leventis, founder and owner of Leventis Group
• Asil Nadir, former chief executive of Polly Peck
• Theo Paphitis, entrepreneur and former chairman of Millwall Football Club
• George Paraskevaides, philanthropist and businessman
• Panos Panay, entrepreneur, executive and president of The Recording Academy
• Roys Poyiadjis, former co-chief executive officer of AremisSoft
• Reo Stakis, hotel and casino owner
• Andreas Panayiotou, businessman and property developer

Film

• Michael Cacoyannis, filmmaker
• Panicos Chrysanthou, filmmaker and documentarian
• Derviş Zaim, novelist and filmmaker
• Haris Zambarloukos, cinematographer

Historical figures

• Acesas (around 5th century BC), ancient artist, famed weaver
• Andromachus of Cyprus, admiral of Alexander the Great
• Grigoris Afxentiou, member of EOKA
• Altheides, philosopher
• St Barnabas (1st century), apostolic father, early missionary
• Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus
• Charlotte of Cyprus, Queen of Cyprus
• Clearchus of Soli (4th-3rd century BC), Cyprus-born Greek philosopher of the Peripatetic school
• Evagoras, king of Salamis (410-374 BC)
• Henry I of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Hugh I of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Hugh II of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Hugh III of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Hugh IV of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• James I of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• James II of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• James III of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Janus of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• John II of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Michalis Karaolis, member of EOKA
• Stefano Lusignan, writer
• Leontios Makhairas, historian
• Kyriakos Matsis, member of EOKA
• Nicocreon (4th century BC-before 306 BC), king of Salamis
• Evagoras Pallikarides, member of EOKA
• Abu Bekr Pasha
• Kıbrıslı Mehmed Emin Pasha, Grand Vizier
• Kıbrıslı Mehmed Kamil Pasha (born 1883), Grand Vizier
• Persaeus of Citium (306-243 BC), Stoic philosopher
• Peter I of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Peter II of Cyprus, King of Cyprus
• Sergius Paulus (1st century), proconsul of Cyprus
• Stasanor (lived 4th century BC), Cyprus-born Greek officer of Alexander the Great, later satrap of Drangiana, Bactria, and Sogdiana
• Stasinus (~7th century BC), one of the first European poets, a semi-legendary early Greek poet, author of the epic poem "Cypria", related to the Trojan War
• Theodora (around 500–548), empress of Byzantine empire (527–548)
• Zeno of Citium (333-264 BC), Cyprus-born Greek philosopher, founder of Stoicism

Jurists

• Alecos Markides
• Solon Nikitas (1937–2005), judge and jurist, Supreme Court (1988–2003), Attorney-General (2003–2005)

Musicians

• Ivi Adamou, singer (The X Factor), represented Cyprus in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
• Peter Andre, singer
• Marlen Aggelidou, singer
• Lisa Andreas, singer
• Aris Antoniades, composer ^[1]
• Nil Burak, singer
• Konstantinos Christoforou, singer
• Kemal Cetinay, singer and TV personality
• Philippos Constantinos, singer (in One)
• Tulisa Contostavlos, singer
• Diam's, singer, rapper
• Nicolas Economou, composer
• Eleftheria Eleftheriou, singer ( The X Factor ), represents Greece in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
• Elpida, Greek singer, sang for Cyprus in the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest
• Theo Evan, singer
• Barry Evangeli, music producer
• Evridiki, singer
• Michalis Hatzigiannis, singer
• Savvas Houvartas, guitarist, songwriter
• Alkinoos Ioannidis, singer
• George Kallis, composer
• Fikri Karayel, singer-songwriter
• Mick Karn, musician from the rock band Japan
• Yannis Kyriakides, composer
• Andreas G. Orphanides, composer
• Cyprien Katsaris, French-Cypriot pianist
• Maria Elena Kiriakou, singer, winner of the first season of The Voice of Greece
• Stelios Konstantas, singer
• Stavros Konstantinou, singer
• George Michael, singer
• Stavros Michalakakos, singer, winner of Greece's X-Factor II
• Despina Olympiou, singer, represents Cyprus in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest
• Alex Panayi, singer-songwriter
• Elena Patroklou, singer (Greek-Cypriot parents)
• Aristos Petrou, rapper
• Marianda Pieridi, singer
• Nikki Ponte, singer (X-Factor)
• Ziynet Sali (born 1975), singer
• Sarbel, British-born Greek singer
• Savvas Savva, composer, pianist
• Cat Stevens, British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; Cypriot father
• Rüya Taner, pianist
• Georges Theofanous, composer (Greece)
• Martino Tirimo, Cypriot pianist, born in Larnaca, Cyprus
• Marios Tokas, singer, composer
• Okan Ersan, guitarist
• Mihalis Violaris, singer, composer
• Anna Vissi, singer
• Lia Vissi, singer (older sister of Anna Vissi)
• Loucas Yiorkas, singer, The X Factor winner 2009, represents Greece in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest
• Andrew Lambrou, represents Cyprus in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

Mythical figures

• Anaxarete, legendary Cypriot maiden in Greek mythology
• Iphis see Anaxarete
• Aphrodite, Goddess of Love
• Pygmalion, legendary king of Cyprus in Greek mythology

Political figures

• Adamos Adamou, MEP
• Mustafa Akıncı, President of Northern Cyprus (2015–present)
• Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (2013–2023)
• Praxoula Antoniadou, Acting President of the United Democrats
• Mustafa Çağatay, Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus (1978–1983)
• Reşat Çağlar, diplomat
• Dimitris Christofias, former president of Cyprus (2008–2013)
• Kypros Chrysostomides, politician
• Katherine Clerides, former politician, peace activist
• Panayiotis Demetriou, MEP
• Rauf Denktaş, first president of Northern Cyprus
• Derviş Eroğlu, long-time prime minister and president of Northern Cyprus (2010–2015)
• Kutlay Erk, the former mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality
• Alexis Galanos, Mayor of Famagusta and former president of the House of Representatives
• Marios Garoyian, President of the House of Representatives
• Polycarpos Georgadjis, politician and member of EOKA
• Takis Hadjigeorgiou, MEP
• Mehmet Harmancı, mayor of North Nicosia
• Georgios Iacovou, politician
• Androulla Kaminara (born 1957), European official and EU ambassador
• Ioannis Kasoulidis, MEP
• Petros Kestoras, diplomat
• Glafkos Klerides, President of the Republic of Cyprus (1993–2003)
• Giannos Kranidiotis, politician
• Fazıl Küçük, first Turkish Cypriot vice president of the Republic of Cyprus
• Markos Kyprianou, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, formerly Finance Minister and former European Commissioner for Health
• Spyros Kyprianou, president (1977–1988)
• Georgios Ladas, former president of the House of Representatives
• Yiorgos Lillikas, politician
• Vassos Lyssarides, founder of EDEK and former president of the House of Representatives
• Averof Neofytou, leader of DISY (2013–present)
• Makarios III, archbishop, president (1960–1977)
• Niyazi Manyera, medical doctor, politician and the first Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus
• Marios Matsakis, former MEP
• Yiannakis Matsis, former MEP
• Eleni Mavrou, former mayor of Nicosia (2006–2011)
• Alekos Michaelides, former Foreign Minister and President of the House of Representatives
• Andreas Moleskis, senior civil servant
• Özkan Murat, politician
• Osman Örek, Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus (1978)
• Kudret Özersay, politician, first leader of #Toparlanıyoruz Movement and founder of Halkın Partisi
• Hüseyin Özgürgün, Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus
• Canan Öztoprak, politician
• Leonidas Pantelides, former Ambassador of Cyprus to Russia
• Tassos Papadopoulos, president (2003–2008)
• Ezekias Papaioannou, Secretary General of AKEL (1949–1988)
• Michalis Papapetrou, politician and diplomat
• Nikos Sampson, de facto president of the Cyprus Republic after the 1974 coup d'état
• Benon Sevan, ex-head of UN Oil for Food program
• Ploutis Servas, first Secretary General of AKEL
• Ferdi Sabit Soyer, politician
• Sibel Siber, first female prime minister of Northern Cyprus
• Kostas Themistocleous, politician
• Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, MEP
• Alparslan Türkeş, leading Turkish politician
• Salih Usar, Minister of Public Works and Communications
• Eşref Vaiz, politician
• Androulla Vasiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth
• George Vasiliou, president and founder of Cypriot United Democrats party (1988–1993)

Religious figures

• Arkadios II, Archbishop (630s–643)
• Archbishop Chrysostomos I of Cyprus, Archbishop (1977–2006)
• Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, Archbishop (2006–)
• Barnabas, prominent early Christian disciple. He is traditionally identified as the founder of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The feast day of Barnabas is celebrated on June 11.
• Epiphanius of Salamis, Metropolitan of Cyprus (367–403)
• Gregory II (1241–1290), Patriarch of Constantinople (1283–1289)
• John the Merciful (7th century), Patriarch of Alexandria
• Kyprianos, Archbishop (1810–1821)
• Kyrillos II, Archbishop (1909–1916)
• Kyrillos III, Archbishop (1916–1933)
• Leontios of Neapolis (7th century), Bishop of Neapolis and writer
• Lazarus of Bethany, ordained by Paul and Barnabas as the first Bishop of Kition following his resurrection
• Makarios I, Archbishop of Cyprus (1854–1865)
• Makarios II, Archbishop (1947–1950)
• Makarios III, Archbishop, president (1960–1977)
• Nazim al-Qubrusi, leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order
• Peter VII (1949–2004), Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa (1997–2004)
• Saint Spyridon (ca. 270–348)

Sports

• Georgios Achilleos, world champion skeet shooter
• Mete Adanır, footballer
• Efstathios Aloneftis, football player with APOEL F.C./Cyprus national football team
• Anastasios Andreou, 1896 Olympian
• Antonakis Andreou, skeet shooter
• Eleni Artymata, track and field
• Marcos Baghdatis, tennis player
• Demetri Catrakilis, rugby player for Harlequins
• Constantinos Charalambidis, football player with Apoel Nicosia
• Dimitris Christofi, football player with Omonoia Nicosia
• Christodoulos Christodoulides, judoka
• Andrew Demetriou, Australian rules football player, CEO of the Australian Football League (AFL)
• Chris Dicomidis, rugby player for the Cypriot national rugby team
• Andri Eleftheriou, skeet shooter
• Tio Ellinas, race car driver
• Marios Georgiou, Olympic gymnast
• Savva Georgiou, football player
• Marios Hadjiandreou, triple jumper
• Oscar Heidenstam, bodybuilding champion
• Lazaros Iakovou, football player
• Andreas Ioannides, football player
• Kyriakos Ioannou, track and field
• Sotiris Kaiafas, former football player with Omonoia Nicosia and Golden Boot winner
• Prodromos Katsantonis, sprinter
• Michalis Konstantinou, football player with Omonoia Nicosia
• Pavlos Kontides, sailor and first Cypriot Olympic medalist
• Anthony Koutoufides, Australian rules footballer
• Stylianos Kyriakides, marathon runner
• Tom Loizides, Cypriot national rugby team
• Anninos Marcoullides, sprinter
• Elena Mousikou, archer
• Yılmaz Orhan, football player
• Ramona Papaioannou, sprinter
• Karolina Pelendritou, swimmer and Paralympic gold medalist
• Dimitri Petrides, Latin American dance pioneer
• Costas Philippou, UFC fighter/ Boxer
• Meliz Redif, athlete
• Panagiotis Sierepeklis, volleyball player
• Andreas Sofokleous, footballer
• Andreas Tsiatinis, basketball player
• Milan Trajkovic, hurdler
• Chrystalleni Trikomiti, rhythmic gymnast
• Garo Yepremian, former place kicker for the Miami Dolphins

Writers

• Kutlu Adali, journalist
• Anthony Anaxagorou, poet
• Ulus Baker, non-fiction writer
• Urkiye Mine Balman, poet
• Neriman Cahit, poet and author
• Kyriakos Charalambides, poet
• Demetris Th. Gotsis, poet and writer
• Dimitris Lipertis, poet
• Peter Lyssiotis, writer
• Niki Marangou, writer
• Pembe Marmara, poet
• Vasilis Michaelides, poet
• Costas Montis, poet
• Kaytazzade Mehmet Nazım, poet
• Nicos Nicolaides, writer and painter
• Michael Paraskos, novelist and art critic
• George Philippou Pierides, writer
• Michael Theodoulou, journalist
• Osman Türkay, poet and Nobel Prize for Literature nominee
• Sevgül Uludağ, journalist
• Mehmet Yaşın, poet
• Neşe Yaşın, poet
• Özker Yaşın, poet

See also

• Culture of Cyprus
• Demographics of Cyprus

References

1. Sakellis, Eleni (2019-02-05). "Greek-Cypriot Composer Aris Antoniades Speaks about His Work". The National Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-14.