Alister sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Alistair, Alexander, and Alastor are the closest matches by sound. Most share Alister's Scottish cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"defender of men"
"man from South Munster (south Munster province)"
"descendant of the black-haired one"
"impulsive, little king"
"crooked nose; bent river"
"cloud"
"wild garlic island"
"powerful in battle"
"warrior"
"god spear"
"bald, little bald one"
"gift"
"warrior, strong one (perceived meaning)"
"guardian of riches"
"holy river"
"descendant of Cinneide"
"shelter, sanctuary"
"powerful (alternative interpretation)"
"fair, white, bright"
"brave spear, strong with a spear"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Alister — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek via Gaelic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Alister.
Rhythm: Alister is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.