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I would say Roo-ehl.

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I didn't know it was one of Tolkien's MNs.

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If I dwell on the sound, it reminds me of cruel and gruel (particularly if pronounced as one syllable), but also Reuben and Raoul. I feel like I've met someone named it but can't remember when or where. It sounds elderly to me but could fit in with names like Remiel / Rémy and Nehemiah.

This message was edited 12/13/2021, 10:50 PM

I've always guessed Roo-el; the fn of an architect who, single-handed, ruined the main road through the UCT campus - red brick, local sandstone, ivy on the wall - with an Education building made of blocks of raw concrete.

I knew a man named Reuel years ago. I am not sure what you mean by your difference between Rule and Rool because I would pronounce both of those spellings the same -- unless you mean to rhyme Rool with "wool", but that's a shorter vowel sound to me than is found in Rule.

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My friend pronounced his name as "rue-ull", but in everyday speech the two syllables often became one and rhymed with how I say "rule", "spool", and "cool."