Description
The community is coincidental with Datha Island (q.v.). The clipped form and variant name Dataw is more often used in spoken reference.
History
In 1986, the developers of the community proposed to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names that the name of the island be changed to Dataw Island citing at least one similar historic name (Dawtaw Island, which most closely approximates the local pronunciation), and the confusion concerning the official spelling Datha with regard to the pronunciation. The U.S. Board denied the change based upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Historical Society and State Names Authority.