Sagar

Sagar is a term used in South Asian contexts that serves as a toponym, a personal name, and a common noun in several languages. In Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Nepali and related languages, sagar (often written sāgar) means sea or ocean. Because of this, the word appears in place names, family names, and literary titles, and its meaning can vary with local usage.

Geographically, Sagar refers to multiple locations in India. The city of Sagar, historically known as Saugor, is the administrative headquarters of Sagar district in central Madhya Pradesh. The district lies in a predominantly agricultural region and includes several towns and villages. Another well-known use is Sagar Island, also called Gangasagar, a tidal island in the Hooghly River off the coast of West Bengal. It is a site of religious pilgrimage, with a major festival observed when pilgrims gather at the coastal confluence of the Ganges and the sea.

As a personal name, Sagar is a common given name in India and Nepal and is occasionally used as a surname. The name often carries the meaning associated with the sea, or is chosen for its cultural resonance and regional significance. The usage and spelling of the name can vary by language and community.

In broader use, Sagar appears in literature, film, business branding and other contexts where regional identity or the symbolic notion of the sea is desirable. The interpretation of the term remains context-dependent, functioning as both a common noun and a proper noun across different domains.