How did Sai Baba get his name, and who were the first people he met in Shirdi?

The Introduction, detailed in Chapter 0, explains the origin of the name "Sai Baba." After arriving in Shirdi with a wedding procession, Maharaj entered the Khandoba temple. There, he met a goldsmith and devotee of Khandoba named Mhalasapati. Upon seeing Maharaj, who wore a kafni, cap, and dhoti, Mhalasapati greeted him with the words "Aavo Sai Baba," which means "Come, Sai Baba." Maharaj held onto this name for the rest of his life. Mhalasapati then introduced Baba to his companions, Kashiram Shimpi and Appa Jagle, and all three became devoted to him.