- Feb 20 Jan Blahoslav, Czech humanist and bishop (Bohemian brothers, translated New Testament into Czech), born in Přerov, Moravia (d. 1571)
- Apr 5 Blaise de Vigenère, French cryptographer, born in Saint-Pourçain, France (d. 1596)
- Jun 5 Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry, born in Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France (d. 1573)
- Sep 11 Pierre de Ronsard, French poet, born in Couture-sur-Loir, Vendômois (d. 1585)
- Sep 22 Charles de Bourbon, French cardinal, born in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, France (d. 1590)
- Nov 11 Joachim Hopperus, Frisian lawyer and politician, born in Sneek, Friesland (d. 1576)