I prefer vee-OH-la, and I much prefer it to
Violet!
Violet seems droopy and wilting.
Viola has sparkle and vivacity, but if it's pronounced vy-OH-la like the musical instrument it puts me right off.
Once I taught a
Viola with a beautiful, tragic face like a West African mask. All the
Art students wanted to paint her! She was a very cheerful, lively child who played the drums, and the triple contrast of her personality, her appearance and her name delighted me.