Variant of Yether (H3500), from the root yātar (to remain, be in excess, excel). The name means abundance, excellence, or preeminence. Refers to Ithra the Israelite (or Ishmaelite in some texts), the father of Amasa who was appointed as army commander by David.
The name Yitrāʾ / Jithra belongs to a relatively minor biblical figure, yet his son Amasa becomes central to the drama of David's restoration and Joab's violent ambition. What is theologically instructive here is the pattern of names as destiny-markers in the OT. A name meaning 'excellence' or 'abundance' foreshadows the progenitor quality that will manifest in descendants. More broadly, the root yātar underlies yeter (remnant, remainder) and yithrôn (profit, advantage) — themes central to the prophetic hope of the faithful remnant who will be left over after judgment. God always preserves an yeter — an excellent, remaining people — through whom His purposes advance. Isaiah 10:20-21 and Romans 11:5 both speak of this remnant principle.