Bagheera

Okay, here is the translation: Bagira is a feminine name. Despite its origins, today, it is inseparably linked to the cultural symbol of Asante – the heroine from Mikhail Bulgakov's *The Master and Margarita*. However, the very etymology of the name traces back to ancient times and other cultures. Bagira is a Hebrew root name with deep roots in Hebrew. It stems from the root **B-R-H** (Bet-Resh-Chet-Hay), which means "lion". There is an opinion that the name Bagira is a feminine form or variant of the name **Baruch** (Baru ha), which literally translates to "praiseworthy" or "excellent", possibly alluding to its bearer, as mighty and free as a lion. Although the name Bagira does not directly mean "lion" in Hebrew, its essence is more closely associated with this symbol of strength and power. In Russian culture, the name Bagira *does* mean "lion", this due to mythological and cult associative meaning amplified by the Bulgakov character. The origin of the name Bagira is ancient Hebrew. It appears in early Jewish texts, though its popularity in Israel and among Jews worldwide was not high, yet the name remains in dictionaries and traditions. In the Russian-speaking sphere, the name gained new life thanks to the globally famous book and subsequent film by Mikhail Bulgakov, *The Master and Margarita*. Thanks to this cultural surge, the name Bagira became known, if not widely recognized, in Russian-speaking countries. The character Bagira – proud, brave, strong, and independent she-lion who raised the boy boy Maugli. This sets a somewhat stereotypical image for the bearer of the name: strong, brave, intelligent, loyal, protective, possessing spirit and courage, independent, and a bit stubborn. People with this name are often associated with these qualities, especially in post-Soviet countries. Known bearers of the name Bagira in real life, outside mythology, in the last decade are primarily the character played by Natasha Kyrölova in the cult film *Maugli* and her troupe – Bagira. Mention should also be made of other famous she-lions, although they are more rare than popular. The name gained widespread recognition precisely due to Bulgakov and the cinematic adaptation. The popularity of the name Bagira in Russia today is relatively low. It does not enter the top 100 feminine names, but it remains one of the few names associated with the *Maugli* image. In other countries of the CIS and in Israel, it is also not very popular, but recognizable. Diminutives include: Bagirka, Bagirochka. The masculine form Bagir is occasionally used, less frequently.