Yigal

Yigal is a Hebrew masculine given name. It derives from the Hebrew root ga'al (גאל), meaning to redeem, vindicate, or restore. The name is commonly interpreted as "God will vindicate" or "God will prove" and has been used widely in Jewish and Israeli communities. Variant spellings include Yigael and Yiga'el, with transliterations differing in English texts.

In modern usage, Yigal is most commonly found in Israel and among Jewish populations, where it has appeared in public life since the mid-20th century. The form Yigael is also familiar, and some individuals with the name may use alternative spellings in international contexts.

Notable bearers of the name include Yigal Allon, an Israeli politician and general who played a significant role in the early state; Yigael Yadin, an Israeli archaeologist, military leader, and politician known for his excavations at sites such as Masada and Megiddo; and Yigal Amir, the Israeli extremist who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. The name appears across various fields in Israel, including politics, academia, and the arts, reflecting its enduring presence in Hebrew-speaking communities.