- Jan 30 Franciscus Gomarus [Francois Gomaer], Dutch theologian, Calvinist minister, and academic, born in Bruges, Habsburg Netherlands (d. 1641)
- Mar 5 John Coke, English politician (Secretary of State for Charles I, 1626-40), born in Trusley, Derbyshire, England (d. 1644)
- Jun 1 Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and English Prime Minister (1598-1612), born in Westminster, Salisbury (d. 1612)
- Sep 4 Wanli, Emperor of Ming Dynasty, born in China (d. 1620)
- Sep 15 Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst, Electress of Brandenburg, by marriage, born in Zerbst, Electorate of Saxony (d. 1607)
- Oct 13 Francesco Caracciolo, Italian priest and saint (Caracciolini), born in Villa Santa Maria, Abruzzo, Italy (d. 1608)
- Oct 17 Jodocus Hondius, Flemish cartographer and engraver (publicized Drake's voyage, restored Mercator's reputation), born in Wakken, West Flanders (d. 1612)
- Nov 5 Anna of Nassau, daughter of William I Prince of Orange and his second wife, Anna of Saxony, wife of William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, born in Breda, Netherlands (d. 1588)
- Nov 19 Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, English statesman, born in Penshurst, Kent, England (d. 1626)
- Nov 27 Robbert Robbertsz le Canu, Dutch nautical expert, born in Amersfoort, Netherlands (d. c. 1630)
- Dec 29 Francesco Maria Guaitoli, Italian composer, born in Carpi, Duchy of Modena and Reggio (d. 1628)
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