Noel?

[nat108]

Noel and Noelle are pronounced the same way "no-el". Why not avoid confusion and spell it Nole or Knoll?

[thetxbelle]

I like it, I know the prn you mean, like Noel for Noel Gallagher so I think it would be fine. Also, you usually introduce someone by their name and then they see it spelled and I don't think it would throw that many people even if they were unaware that you would spell "nole" that way.

FWIW it's Noel is actually a male name IMO, I've only met girls named Noelle so I'm not sure where the feminine feedback is coming from.

[julsin18]

Thanks everyone! @dantea and judyariel I was actually thinking of Noel Benjamin! I also love your suggestion of Noel Henry, dantea!

[catloverd]

I like it, I know the prn you mean, like Noel for Noel Gallagher so I think it would be fine. Also, you usually introduce someone by their name and then they see it spelled and I don't think it would throw that many people even if they were unaware that you would spell "nole" that way.

FWIW it's Noel is actually a male name IMO, I've only met girls named Noelle so I'm not sure where the feminine feedback is coming from.

It'e feminine because the "correct" pn of Noel, is No-ell, which is the same as Noelle

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/noel

[isirapjl]

I know several Noel's that are men (pronounced Nole), it is a very popular Jewish name in NY at least. I have also found it odd that so many Jewish men are named Noel but I don't really know the history.

There are several famous male Noel's too --

Noel Gallagher, former member of British rock band, Oasis
Noel Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary
Noël Coward (1899-1973), British actor, playwright, and popular music composer

Hope that helps!

[pansy]

It'e feminine because the "correct" pn of Noel, is No-ell, which is the same as Noelle

Not when it's a boys name. I've known several male Noels and they all pronounced their names to rhyme with hole. There have also been different male television characters with this name and they pronounced it the same way (Scott Foley's character on "Felcitiy" and the co-worker who had a crush on Roz on "Frasier" are the first that come to mind) When you are using it as a girls name (which I've only seen spelled Noelle) or in reference to Christmas, then it's pronounced no-ell.

[catloverd]

Not when it's a boys name. I've known several male Noels and they all pronounced their names to rhyme with hole. There have also been different male television characters with this name and they pronounced it the same way (Scott Foley's character on "Felcitiy" and the co-worker who had a crush on Roz on "Frasier" are the first that come to mind) When you are using it as a girls name (which I've only seen spelled Noelle) or in reference to Christmas, then it's pronounced no-ell.

I put correct in quotes for a reason... haha, the word, Noel, means Christmas and is pn No-ell, not saying that it's not pronounced Nohl as a name for boys, just pointing out why it can be feminine. Although pronouncing it Nohl and spelling it Noel is very confusing since people are used to Noel being No-ell do to the word and song "Noel, Noel, Born is the king of Israel...."

Depending where you live, how it's pn varies, but in America I've NEVER heard anyone sing it as "Nohl Nohl, born is...."

Anyway, I think Knoll or Nole is better alternative to avoid confusion. But it's ultimately your decision, just my opinion.

[nat108]

Not when it's a boys name. I've known several male Noels and they all pronounced their names to rhyme with hole. There have also been different male television characters with this name and they pronounced it the same way (Scott Foley's character on "Felcitiy" and the co-worker who had a crush on Roz on "Frasier" are the first that come to mind) When you are using it as a girls name (which I've only seen spelled Noelle) or in reference to Christmas, then it's pronounced no-ell.

Noel and Noelle are the same name and are pronounced the same way BUT when people use Noel for boys they choose to change it to noll because they think no-ell is feminine. It's an accepted mispronunciation

If I saw Noel I'd say "no-ell". If I learned Noel was a boy, I'd say "no-wool" basically the same as the surname Nowell. But then again some pronounce Nowell as one syllable "noll"

[sabrinafair]

I just talked to a man today named noel but said as NO-EL like the female version. I like it on a man said that way.

[lexikj]

I'd pronounce Noel only as No-elle if it were spelled Noël, with the umlaut, which is how I always see it spelled at Christmas. Otherwise I would say "knoll", that's the only way I've heard it as a male name. Noelle is the feminine to me. I love the sound of Noel. also Nolan, which could be a longer version.