The Marten is one of the major inflows of Lesser Slave Lake, which drains through the Lesser Slave River, a major tributary of the Athabasca River.

Significant debate exists regarding the origin of the river's name.

One theory suggests the river, as well as nearby Marten Mountain were named for a local trapper.

The other theory suggests the river and mountain were named for martens, a weasel that inhabits the region.

The Geological Survey of Canada used the name Martin River on an 1892 map.