The name Christina was chosen to honour Christine Gordon, who in partnership with her brother William, opened a trading post and post office at Fort McMurray in 1905. She remained at Fort McMurray for the rest of her life. In 1911 the name Christina replaced the river's earlier name, Pembina, which was referred to by George Simpson in 1820. Native residents call the river as Nipnan seepee, referring to the highbush cranberry, which is a common vegetation in this area. Peter Fidler referred to this river in the 1790s as mith-quap-pim a seepe, a Cree name, and also as ky-goz-zae dez-za, a Chipewyan name. Both mean red willow.

Flows north-west into Clearwater River approximately 22 km east south-east of Fort McMurray.