What is the name of the modern-day protagonist in the first Assassin's Creed game?

Desmond Miles is the modern-day protagonist in the first Assassin's Creed game. Through the Animus, he relives the genetic memories of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, allowing the game's historical story to unfold.

Desmond was previously a member of the Assassin Brotherhood who ran away from the organization. Abstergo Industries captures him and uses him in an experiment intended to locate information hidden in his ancestral memories.

His modern-day storyline continues across several early Assassin's Creed games. Desmond's experiences with Altaïr, Ezio, and Ratonhnhaké:ton connect separate historical campaigns into a single science-fiction narrative.

He is often confused with William Miles, his father and a senior Assassin, or Clay Kaczmarek, another subject connected to the Animus. Neither replaces Desmond as the first game's present-day lead.