The word "Mahavira" is derived from the Sanskrit words "maha" meaning great, and "vira" meaning hero or brave. Therefore, Mahavira can be translated to mean "great hero" or "great brave one".

In the context of Jainism, Mahavira is the name given to the 24th and last Tirthankara, or spiritual teacher, of the religion. He was born in the 6th century BCE in the ancient kingdom of Vajji, in present-day Bihar, India. His birth name was Vardhamana, but he came to be known as Mahavira due to his great spiritual strength and courage.

As a Tirthankara, Mahavira is believed to have attained enlightenment and complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death, known as moksha, through his own efforts and teachings. He is considered to be the founder of the Jain religion, which is based on the principles of non-violence, non-attachment, and compassion towards all living beings.

The title of Mahavira is also significant in the context of Jain philosophy. In Jainism, there are six essential duties, known as avashyakas, that a person must fulfill in order to achieve liberation. These duties are known as the six great vows, or mahavratas, and include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possession, and non-attachment. Mahavira is seen as the epitome of these virtues and is therefore called Mahavira.

Furthermore, Mahavira is also known as the last Tirthankara because Jainism believes in a cyclical nature of time, with 24 Tirthankaras appearing in each cycle to teach the path to liberation. Mahavira is seen as the most recent and final Tirthankara, and his teachings are considered to be the most relevant for the current time.

In conclusion, the word "Mahavira" carries deep significance in the context of Jainism. It represents the great spiritual strength and courage of the 24th Tirthankara, who is revered as the founder of the religion and the embodiment of the six essential duties.