- Jan 11 Parmigianino [Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola,], Italian artist (Madonna with the Long Neck), born in Parma, Duchy of Milan (now Italy) (d. 1540)
- Mar 10 Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor (1558-64) who organized defense against the Ottoman invasion, born in Alcalá de Henares, Castile (d. 1564)
- Mar 19 Benedetto Varchi, Italian humanist and historian (Storia Fiorentina), born in Florence (d. 1565)
- Mar 22 Antonio Francesco Grazzini, Italian writer (d. 1583)
- Jun 1 Wilhelm von Grumbach, German adventurer (tried to incite German Knights against Holy Roman Empire), born in Rimpar (d. 1567)
- Jun 28 Giovanni Della Casa, Italian poet (Galateo), born in La Casa, Mugello, Tuscany (d. 1556)
- Jun 30 John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony (1532-47), born in Torgau, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1554)
- Jul 23 Anna of Bohemia and Hungary, Queen of the Romans, born in Buda, Hungary (d. 1547)
Christian III (1503-1559)
Aug 12 King of Denmark (1534-59) and Norway (1537-59), born in Gottorf Castle, Schleswig, Denmark
- Oct 24 Isabella of Portugal, Queen consort of Spain, Queen of the Romans, and Lady of the Netherlands (1526-39), and Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Italy (1530-39), born in Lisbon, Portugal (d. 1539)
- Nov 17 Il Bronzino, Italian Florentine painter in Mannerist style (Eleanor de Toledo & her Son), born in Florence (d. 1572)
Nostradamus (1503-1566)
Dec 14 French astrologist and prophet (Les Propheties), born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Dragon
Year of the Snake
Year of the Horse
Year of the Goat/Sheep
Year of the Monkey