The Illuminati (plural of Latin illuminatus, "enlightened") is a name given to several groups, both real (historical) and fictitious.

Historically the name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776.

In more modern contexts, the name refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which is alleged to mastermind events and control world affairs through governments and corporations to establish a New World Order.

In this context the Illuminati are usually represented as a modern version or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati.