It is unknown as to whether the term "Tamilar" and its equivalents in Prakrit such as Damela, Dameda, Dhamila and Damila was a self designation or a term denoted by outsiders. Epigraphic evidence of an ethnic group termed as such is found in ancient Sri Lanka where a number of inscriptions have come to light datable from third to first century BCE mentioning Damela or Dameda persons. In the well-known Hathigumpha inscription of the Kalinga ruler Kharavela, refers to a "Tramira samghata" (Confederacy of Tamil rulers) dated to 150 BCE. It also mentions that the league of Tamil kingdoms had been in existence 113 years before then. In Amaravati in present day Andhra Pradesh there is an inscription referring to a "Dhamila-vaniya" (Tamil trader) datable to the third century CE. Another inscription of about the same time in Nagarjunakonda seems to refer to a "Damila". A third inscription in Kanheri Caves refers to a "Dhamila-gharini" (Tamil house-holder). In the Buddhist Jataka story known as "Akiti Jataka" there is a mention to "Damila-rattha" (Tamil country). Hence it is clear that by at least the third century BCE, the ethnic identity of Tamils has been formed as a distinct group. "Tamilar" is etymologically related to Tamil, the language spoken by Tamil people. Southworth suggests that the name comes from tam-miz > tam-iz 'self-speak', or 'one's own speech'. Zvelebil suggests an etymology of tam-iz, with tam meaning "self" or "one's self", and "-iz" having the connotation of "unfolding sound". Alternately, he suggests a derivation of tamiz < tam-iz < *tav-iz < *tak-iz, meaning in origin "the proper process (of speaking)."

Imperial and post-imperial periods
श्रीलंकेतील तमिळ लोकं
Etymology
श्रीलंकन तमिळ