The phrase “who was the first” is incomplete on its own, so it can point to many different “firsts” in history, science, sports, or pop‑culture.

Here are a few common interpretations people mean when they ask “who was the first” , depending on context:

First person whose name we know

  • Many historians point to Kushim , an accountant in ancient Mesopotamia (modern‑day Iraq), whose name appears on a clay tablet from about 3300–3000 BCE recording a barley transaction.
  • Another early named individual is Gal‑sal , a citizen of the Sumerian city of Shurrupak, whose name appears on a slightly later tablet listing his slaves.

First “historical figure” in a broader sense

  • In Egypt, Narmer (or Menes) is often cited as one of the first rulers we can reasonably identify from early dynastic records, around 3100 BCE.
  • In Mesopotamia, Sargon of Akkad (c. 2300 BCE) is one of the earliest well‑attested empire‑builders whose name and deeds appear in multiple written sources.

Famous “firsts” people often discuss online

Category| “First” person (common answer)
---|---
First U.S. president| George Washington (inaugurated 1789) 3
First to reach the North Pole (by most accounts)| Robert Peary (1909) 3
First to reach the South Pole| Roald Amundsen (1911) 3
First person to orbit Earth| Yuri Gagarin (1961) 4
First person in recorded history with a clear written name| Kushim the accountant (c. 3300–3000 BCE) 15

If you tell me what “first” you mean —for example, “who was the first president?” or “who was the first human whose name we know?” —I can give you a precise, detailed answer tailored to that topic.