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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Joel

39 replies

ch1134 · 03/05/2015 10:25

What do you think when you hear the name Joel?
Does it have links with a particular country or religion?
I have a Louis and wondered if Joel 'goes'.
Thanks

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MerryMarigold · 05/05/2015 09:28

Pronounced the European way ie. Matt Ee us

MerryMarigold · 05/05/2015 09:27

I think in France it would have the 'elle' ending. But not disastrous unless you're moving the. How about Matthias, Matt for short?

MrsMarigold · 05/05/2015 08:37

I don't find it trips off the tongue easily and the it reminds me of jowls

LadyGooGaa · 05/05/2015 08:32

it may not be very Jewish in France but it is a Hebrew name.

sweetpeame · 05/05/2015 08:18

Would make me think of Billy Joel also! Not too keen on it although it goes with Louis well. Not sure how well it works in Europe if that's a concern. Certainly in some European languages the letter "J" is pronounced quite differently to English eg. German, possibly some of the Scandenavian languages.

2boys2girls · 04/05/2015 22:07

Love the name joel rhyming with Noel.

laurenlhthompson · 04/05/2015 21:57

Mustbeloopy, we picked Joel because of last of us too!

Original poster
ch1134 · 04/05/2015 21:14

Yes, I meant Joe-ul rather than the 'elle' sound. I just meant two syllables rather than one.
I like Jude, but I can't have a Lou and a Jude! Too rhymy!

OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 04/05/2015 21:09

How about Jude? Poetically don't like the Jo elle pronunciation. I don't day out like Jole. More like jo ughl, also no ughl edmonds

MerryMarigold · 04/05/2015 21:07

I love Joel. Couldn't have it because of our surname ending in 'el' as well. The one I know isn't middle class, lovely boy.

Original poster
ch1134 · 04/05/2015 21:03

All very helpful, thanks. For me it is Joe-elle not Jole.
I wouldn't want it to be shortened to Joe though.
My only reservation is that I'd love a single syllable name as we have a long surname (Louis is often Lou).

OP posts:
squoosh · 04/05/2015 15:13

It's the kind of name I imagine of a big haired mechanic from New Jersey who's into Bon Jovi.

Floggingmolly · 04/05/2015 14:46

It's Jewish alright; but it's lovely.

MarieJeanne · 04/05/2015 14:39

I live in France and agree with GreatAuntDinah
It is the French equivalent of Brian or Derek but don't let that put you off, it goes nicely with Louis.

MustBeLoopy390 · 04/05/2015 14:36

Love it. It's on our list for our boys name, mainly because dh and i are huge gamers and The Last Of Us is one of our favourite games :)

thebeesankles · 04/05/2015 14:35

Love the name Joel, like Jonah too.

GreatAuntDinah · 04/05/2015 14:31

It's not very Jewish in France, since you mention it, but it is very middle-aged: it peaked in the early 1950s www.aufeminin.com/w/prenom/p9387/joel.html

Leeds2 · 04/05/2015 10:46

I think of Joel Garner, the cricketer. Which is a positive connection for me!

I know one in real life (age 17), and he is lovely.

LemonYellowSun · 04/05/2015 08:12

I know a couple of Joels. Nice kids from non religious families. I really like it.

laurenlhthompson · 04/05/2015 08:11

Joel is the name I've picked if my baby is a boy. We chose it because it's not massively common but it's not out there. Everyone we've asked opinions from love it. Although I'm biased I think it's a lovely name and will suit a baby and an old man. Go for it :)

LadyGooGaa · 04/05/2015 08:08

Yep, it is a very Jewish name - and a lovely one too. No different from Ethan, Isaac etc - also very Jewish. In Hebrew it is actually Yo-el so slightly different.

netty7070 · 04/05/2015 00:58

I like it, it's different without being try hard and cringey. I immediately think of Joel from northern exposure, which is no bad thing.

Iflyaway · 04/05/2015 00:42

I know a Joel (two syllables)..

He is awful - but don't let that put you off! Smile

Joel is a lovely name. Not sure about two siblings called Noel and Joel tho..

GuatemalanRum · 04/05/2015 00:33

Is it supposed to be Jo - el? I had no idea. The one I know is pronounced Jole (like Noel)

Marcipex · 04/05/2015 00:08

If I heard Joel with two syllables, I'd be surprised and pleased. The only one I know is pronounced Jole.
It would be a nice name if they said it properly.