Allen sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Ellen, Helen, and Allan are the closest matches by sound. Most share Allen's Irish-rooted cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"handsome, fair"
"gift of God"
"skilled craftsperson, artisan"
"raised embankment, lifting"
"fairy queen, princess (from Saint Tatiana tradition)"
"far-sighted"
"Ever (always or eternal) plus Lea (meadow); eternal meadow"
"bridge keeper, lives near a bridge"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Allen — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Gaelic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Allen.
Rhythm: Allen is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.