Joel or Joe-l

I have recently discovered that an alternative pronunciation for J-O-E-L is Joe-L.  Yes, Joe-L.  Yes, like "the First Noel"...

We were out shopping one day and he was sporting this little shirt.

A girl working at the sweet children's store asked, "How do you say his name?  Joe-L?"  But it was even more like, "Joe - elle"  Y'all keeping a straight face was the most difficult thing I have done in a while.

Since this happened, I have been informed that there is a high school or college basketball player that has been all over ESPN for his abilities and his name is no other than Joel...pronounced Joe-L.  And I thought I named my child a very classic, old name.