This toponym derives from the Abenaki word “Wdopikak” meaning “where alders are found”.

According to the Commission de toponymie du Québec, some sources claim that Watopeka rather means “pearl river because of the rapids”.

With the combined use of the English and French languages, the spelling and pronunciation of this Amerindianyme underwent several variations before the current form was formalized in the Place Names Bank.

Other documents from various periods use variant spellings, notably Watopéca, Wattopeka, Wattopekah, Wattopekak, Wattopikaw.

[1] The toponym Watopeka River was officially registered on December 5, 1968, at the Commission de toponymie du Québec.