dattaa

Dattaa is a romanization variant of the Sanskrit and Pali term dattā, meaning “given” or “having been given.” It is the past passive participle of the verb dā, “to give.” In classical texts, dattā functions as an adjective or participle describing something that has been donated or bestowed, and it appears in compounds and phrases across Sanskrit and Pali literature.

In linguistic terms, dattā (dattaa) reflects how the root dā is turned into a stative or descriptive form. The long a in dattā is often indicated in transliteration as dattā or dattaa, depending on the system used. The form is common in religious and ceremonial language, where gifts, offerings, and donations are discussed in terms of what has been given.

As a given name, Dattaa is used in India and among the Indian diaspora. It is often seen in its various transliterations, such as Datta or Dutta, and occasionally as Dattaa in romanization that preserves a long vowel. The name is culturally linked to Hindu traditions; in particular, it is associated with the deity Dattatreya, whose name shares the same root meaning related to giving or a gift.

Notable uses of the root appear in religious contexts, with dattā serving as a linguistic basis for terms describing offerings and charitable acts. See also Dattatreya, Datta, and Dutta for related names and concepts.