- Jan 17 Antonio Pace, Italian madrigal composer and music publisher, born in Naples, Kingdom of Naples (d. 1581)
- Mar 2 Thomas Bodley, English diplomat and scholar (founder of the Bodleian Library), born in Exeter, England (d. 1612)
- Apr 13 Elisabeth of Valois, daughter of King Henry II of France and 3rd wife of Philip II of Spain, born in Fontainbleau, France (d. 1568)
- Apr 28 Yi Sun-sin, Korean Naval Commander, born in Hanseong, South Korea (d. 1598)
- May 1 Franciscus Junius, French-Dutch calvinist theologist and vicar, born in Bourges, France (d. 1602)
- Jul 8 Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias, son of Spanish King Philip II, born in Valladolid, Spain (d. 1568)
- Aug 1 Andrew Melville, Scottish theologian and religious reformer, born in Baldovie, Angus, Scotland (d. 1622)
- Aug 27 Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Italian diplomat, born in Rome (d. 1592)
- Aug 27 Alexander Farnese, Italian nobleman, mercenary, Governor of Spanish Netherlands (1578-92), and Duke of Parma (1586-92), born in Rome. Papal States (d. 1592)
- Oct 19 Giovanale Ancina, Italian priest and composer, born in Fossano, Duchy of Savoy (d. 1604)
- Dec 5 Janus Dousa [Johan van de Does], Dutch politician and poet, born in Noordwijk, Netherlands (d. 1604)
- Dec 7 Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, King consort of Mary, Queen of Scots, born in Temple Newsam, Yorkshire, England (d. 1567)
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