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 editing the page to add missing items, with references to 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
• Evan Evagora, actor, Star Trek: Picard
• 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, actor
• Sotiris Moustakas, comedy actor
• Ada Nicodemou, actress, Home and Away
• Hannah Simone, actress
• Marina Sirtis, actress, Star Trek
• 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
• Hovig Demirjian, singer
• Diam's, singer, rapper
• Nicolas Economou, composer
• Eleftheria Eleftheriou, singer ( The X Factor ), represents Greece in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
• Elpida, represented 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, pianist
• Maria Elena Kiriakou, singer, winner of the first season of The Voice of Greece
• Stelios Konstantas, singer
• Stavros Konstantinou, singer
• Andrew Lambrou, singer, represented Cyprus in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
• George Michael, singer
• Stavros Michalakakos, singer, winner of Greece's X-Factor II
• Despina Olympiou, singer, represented Cyprus in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest
• Alex Panayi, singer-songwriter
• Elena Patroklou, singer
• Aristos Petrou, rapper
• Marianda Pieridi, singer
• Nikki Ponte, singer (X-Factor)
• Ziynet Sali, singer
• Sarbel, singer
• Savvas Savva, composer, pianist
• Cat Stevens, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• Rüya Taner, pianist
• Georges Theofanous, composer
• Martino Tirimo, pianist
• Marios Tokas, singer, composer
• Okan Ersan, guitarist
• Mihalis Violaris, singer, composer
• Anna Vissi, singer
• Lia Vissi, singer
• Loucas Yiorkas, singer, The X Factor winner 2009, represents Greece in the 2011 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
• Frances Lanitou, diplomat
• 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.