The only person I’ve known with that exact name ([name]Noel[/name]) is a girl in high school. She was super sweet and I think of her and of course [name]Christmas[/name]–First [name]Noel[/name].
I’ve never met any man named with the nole pronunciation. Reminds me of mole/bowl/goal/soul/role…so it just seems too much like a word to me.
I have an ex-uncle-in-law who pronounced his name with one syllable and he is originally from Northern [name]Ireland[/name]. His daughter’s middle name is [name]Noelle[/name], pronounced with two. My daughter has a coach who is Hispanic (but I don’t know his country of origin) and he pronounces it with two, so it might just depend on where you are from or what heritage (if any) you are trying to represent.
I can’t stand it on a girl, personally, so to answer about whether it’s too feminine? No, certainly not. I had a close friend in high school named [name]Noel[/name]; he pronounced it No-el. (like the song)
[name]Noelle[/name] for a girl has a special place in my heart. My oldest daughters name is [name]Noelle[/name]
I live in [name]Canada[/name] and my boyfriends older brothers name is [name]Noel[/name] and he says it as [name]Noel[/name] -like hole i guess. Hes in his 30’s and is very artsy, he’s tall with blond hair. So that’s what I picture when I hear the name [name]Noel[/name].