How did the saint known as Maharaj come to be called Sai Baba?

The name 'Sai Baba' was given to Maharaj by a gentleman named Mhalasapati. As detailed in the Introduction from Chapter 0, when Maharaj first entered the Khandoba temple in Shirdi, Mhalasapati greeted him with the words 'Aavo Sai Baba,' which means 'Come, Sai Baba.' Maharaj adopted this name and was known as Sai Baba for the rest of his life. When later asked his name in a commission, he even stated, 'They call me Sai Baba,' showing his acceptance of the name given by his devotee.