Makar

Makar is a masculine given name in Slavic countries and also appears as a surname. In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Slavic-speaking regions it is used independently and sometimes thought to derive from the Greek name Makarios, meaning blessed, via early Christian and Church Slavonic traditions. The form has historical usage and continues to be found in contemporary names and records.

In Indian and broader South Asian contexts, Makara (often transliterated as Makar) denotes a mythic sea creature and is associated with the zodiac sign Capricorn. Makara figures appear in Hindu and Buddhist art and iconography, and the term is central to cultural and religious practices such as Makara Sankranti, a festival celebrating the sun’s transit into Makara in the solar year.

As a personal name, Makar can occur outside its Slavic roots through transliteration and cultural exchange, appearing in various communities where different languages intersect. The exact origin, pronunciation, and usage of the form can vary by language and region, but the name remains recognizable across cultures.