How do you pronouce a boy's name "Noel"?

I have named my new born baby boy Noel. As far as I know, I pronouce it as "No-El" just like the Christmas song. Because of this pronouciation, I have friends assume we had a girl. Some have suggested to pronouce "No" like hole, bowl, etc





If that's the case, I will probably change the name. I don't want my son to have problem with his name down the road during his growing years. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

How do you pronouce a boy's name "Noel"?
It is traditionally pronounced for a girl No-El and NO-el for a boy or Noel (rhymes with goal).





You can see it pronounced here on this clip from the TV show Felicity. The leading man's name was Noel.





http://www.keri-russell.info/video/felic...
Reply:Know- el... my friends middle name is Noel and thats how he pronounces it...
Reply:I would say like Joel but with an N.
Reply:Don't listen to any of this!!!!





You aven't got it wrong, you might just be over-emphasising a little...





Noel should be pronounced Nole ore Nowul





Noelle is a different ballgame altogether and should be pronounced no elle





So, no you are not giving him a girly name or a confusing name, it's just everybody else who hasnt got it right.
Reply:KNOWL or Knoll (the e is silent) and it is 1 sylable not 2 like in Noel the girls name or the Christmas Carol,.
Reply:I believe that it is most commonly pronounced "Knowle" or "Nole", when used as a mans name.





You can pronouce it however you choose, of course, but try to be understanding if others get it wrong the first time. :)





There are no guarantees that you son will love his name no matter what you choose, so you just have to trust yourself a little. :) If his middle name is something more common, you could always address him by that instead, without going through the entire legal name-changing ordeal.





Either way, enjoy your sweet baby boy. :)
Reply:I know a forty-something year old man named Noel--pronounced No-EL..and he's perfectly normal.
Reply:Most pronounce it "Nowl" for a boy ~ I say you can pronounce it / spell it any way you like, it's your child!


Congratulations on your new baby boy!
Reply:the way i have heard it pronounced is NOLE or KNOLL.


its a nice name
Reply:It can be pronounced "Nole" or "No-el"
Reply:It's No- El like the Christmas song you said!
Reply:its pronounced Nole
Reply:It is nowl as in bowl. No-EL is feminine, and would get him teased.
Reply:The boys name is pronounced Nole.





A girls name is Noel - pronounced Noelle.
Reply:I would suggest changing his name to Nolan
Reply:The boy's name is pronounced like hole/bowl.





Noel like Christmas is a girl's name.
Reply:***Yea, it's pronounced Nole. Why would you name your son a name you don't know how to pronounce? And if you pronounce it No-El, didn't you think that sounded feminine? Name him Noah if you don't like Noel.***
Reply:if you go to Merriam-webster online dictionary ` it will say it and it sounds like NO Well ... sounds very girly..Sorry but there is a site that states its for both sex
Reply:I've always assumed that Noelle is a girl, and Noel is a boy. I pronounce Noel as Nole, like mole.
Reply:The boys version is pronounced Nole . You are using the girl's. Changing isn't a bad idea.
Reply:I've always heard it pronounced as a two-syllable name, but NOT like "No-El." That's the girl way (as in Noelle). The boy way that I've always heard is hard to type out... it's like "No wool," but it runs together smoothly so it's almost one consonant. "Noll" is also correct.





Either start pronouncing it as "No woll" instead of "No L", or change it.
Reply:Dont change the baby's name. Pronounce it how you wanted it to sound in the first place. Your friends will get used to it and when he grows up as long as he says his name correctly people will pronounce it the way he does. I think its a nice name more for a boy than a girl. Good luck with No-el!
Reply:Your first pronouncing was correct and beautiful. good luck w/ ur baby boy!
Reply:No-el is the girl pronunciation; Knoll is the boy pronunciation.