Dastagir

Dastagir is a masculine given name of Persian origin that is widely used in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, and among diasporic communities. It also occurs as a surname. The spelling Dastagir is one common transliteration; variants include Dastgir and Dastagar, reflecting differences in pronunciation and transliteration from Persian, Urdu, and Pashto.

The name derives from Persian elements such as dast meaning "hand" and gir meaning "bearing" or "carrying," and is commonly interpreted as "one who helps," or "a helper." In some traditions it is associated with the idea of offering assistance or a helping hand.

Geographic and cultural distribution: The name is especially common in Persianate and South Asian cultures where Persian linguistic influence shaped naming practices. It is found among Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as in India's Muslim communities, and among Iranian families.

Usage notes: As a given name, Dastagir can be used alone or as part of longer compound names; as a surname it may be inherited from a paternal lineage or adopted in modern naming. Spelling variations like Dastgir are often encountered in official records and media.