Arlene sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Arleen, Aileen, and Charlene are the closest matches by sound. Most share Arlene's Irish-rooted cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"pledge, oath"
"highest point, citadel"
"from Scotland, feminine form"
"spinner dolphin"
"courageous one from the meadow"
"festive gathering (from céilí)"
"heavenly, celestial"
"elevated by God (from -ayah suffix)"
"gracious, dear, beloved"
"hardest substance, precious gemstone"
"beautiful sea"
"wise, learned"
"bright day, daylight"
"goddess, divine"
"turbulent, full of energy"
"creative variant of Mariah, beloved"
"beautiful, lovely"
"wide island"
"sun gift (Sunniva variant)"
"red rose"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Arlene — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Irish/Gaelic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Arlene.
Rhythm: Arlene is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.