'protagonist' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'prōtagōnistēs,' where 'prōto-' meant 'first' and 'agōnistēs' meant 'actor.'

'prōtagōnistēs' transformed into the Latin word 'protagonista,' and eventually became the modern English word 'protagonist' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'first actor in a play,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'main character in a narrative work.'