ðə nˈeɪm jˈæmæskə ɐpˈɪɹd ɪnðə sˈɛvəntˌiːnθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi, bᵻfˈoːɹhænd ɪt wʌz nˈeɪmd "ɹˌɪviˈɛɹ də dʒˈɛnz" fɹˈɛntʃ fɔːɹ ɹˈɪvɚɹ ʌv dʒˈɛnz baɪ sˈæmjuːl də tʃˈæmpleɪn ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd sˈɪkshˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪn.
The name Yamaska appeared in the 17th century, beforehand it was named "Rivière de Gennes" (French for River of Gennes) by Samuel de Champlain in 1609.