'bagh' originates from Persian, specifically the word 'bāgh', where 'bāgh' meant 'garden'.

'bāgh' passed into Hindustani (Hindi/Urdu) and was adopted into English usage mainly through place names and descriptions of South Asian gardens during the colonial period.

Initially it meant 'garden'; this basic meaning has been retained, though in English the word is often used chiefly in proper names or to refer to the South Asian garden type.