Joel

[ch1134]

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

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.

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

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

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).

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.

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

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!

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

Love the name joel rhyming with Noel.

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.

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

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

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

Pronounced the European way ie. Matt Ee us