Settle a debate: Isobel vs Isabelle

[UnoriginalUserName948]

Is it just me, or these two very similar, but slightly differently pronounced names? No, I am not planning on using them for twins or anything daft! My friend and I were having a discussion about it yesterday and she says they are pronounced exactly the same- I say there is a very subtle difference. Who is right?

It’s the same name.

Exactly the same

I pronounce them both with a schwa and so does everyone I know (I now live in southern England and have also lived in the Midlands). However I prefer the look of the spelling Isabel because when I see Isobel written down, I see "sob" in the middle and it makes me think of a rather whiny person!

The same

Very different names imo

I have an Isobel and neither I nor anyone else I have ever met have pronounced the middle syllable as "oh". It is the same name and same pronunciation as Isabelle and Isabel.

*Very subtle difference in my accent (SE Scotland)

ə = schwa

IZ-ə-bəl
IZ-ə-bel
*

Is this not an age thing? I've heard old people say the first pronunciation (thereby contradicting my previous post...)