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"
"knowledge, sacred wisdom"
"heavenly sea, sky and ocean"
"olive tree, peace"
"exalted, high-born"
"horse joy"
"precious, gem-like"
"wave"
"torch, light"
"fair-haired hero"
"sunny, full of sunshine"
"noble strength, work strength"
"divine, of the gods/spirits"
"goddess, divine"
"hardworking, striving"
"pearl"
"beam of light"
"beloved, sea of bitterness (Mary)"
"one who walks, traveler"
"pure"
"breeze"
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.