The village was originally called Suure-Tammiku (literally, 'big Tammiku') in contrast to neighboring Väike-Tammiku (literally, 'little Tammiku'). It was attested in written records as Tamicas in 1241 (referring to the village), as Gross-Tamkas in 1526 (referring to the manor), and as Сууръ-Таммикъ c. 1900. The name (in the genitive case) comes from the common noun tammik 'oak forest', referring to the local vegetation.
