In Dutch/Afrikaans the word "dassie" means "rock-hyrax" or "rock-badger" and the island is named after the colonies of hyraxes (Procavia capensis) encountered there by the discoverers.

Named Ilha Branca ('white island') by the early Portuguese mariners, it was renamed Elizabeth Eiland by Joris van Spilbergen in 1601.

Although temporary pans form during the wet season (winter) in the interior, there is in general little fresh water on the island.

Rocky paths on the island have been worn by generations of penguins coming ashore to roost and nest.

[8] The population has been adversely impacted by the commercial exploitation of their eggs,[9] collection of guano (which the birds require to burrow in), and the overfishing of prey species (including pilchard).