They are pron. differently and I think both are used in Italy. Maybe in Italian there is only
Michele, but the two feminine forms show that there are two names:
Michael and
Michel. The first is from the Hebrew "who is like G-d?", and the second from the Hebrew "one who asks". :)
~~ Claire ~~
My ! are Alia, Eidel, Enola, Israel, Dudel, Yuri, Lina, Lorelei, Leilani, Owen, Julian, Glorinda, Mirinda
My ? are Hillel, Meshullam, Johnny, Ginny, Cordelia, Fiammetta, Yocheved
My ~ are Tehila, Tilda, Hailey, Gillian, Huldah
My / are Aglaia and July