A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
On our way to ATL; WX was forecast to be OK. About an hour out we got 'special' ATIS sure enough; rain and CB's. Assigned the ONYON 1 RNAV ARR. Lot of WX over ONYON; requested wx dev hdg 270; proceeded for a few miles to avoid WX; After three RWY changes ATC finally says 'expect ILS 8L; proceed direct (SCHEL) when able' VERY busy radio comms; responded 'direct SCHEL'. We were now briefing the NEW approach; saw 'SCHEL' was FAF for ILS 8L. Turned North to 'SCHEL'; ATC says 'after SCHEL rejoin the ONYON ARRIVAL'. My FO and I exchange a confusing stare and we realize that there is a fix on the ONYON ARR called 'SHELE'. Can you believe this?? (SCHEL and SHELE) Both pronounced the EXACT same way; and both on our arrival. Fortunately we caught it quick and there was no deviation. This is dangerous and could result in a real bad situation. They need to rename one of these fixes.
[Report narrative contained no additional information].
A319 flight crew discovered during the ONYON1 arrival to Runway 8L at ATL that that there are two fixes with very similar names. SHELE on the ONYON1 and SCHEL on the ILS 8L.