Benford sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Sanford, Bradford, and Branford are the closest matches by sound. Most share Benford's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"river crossing dweller"
"free man"
"the solar deity"
"meadow of the holly tree"
"honey, sweet"
"all, completely"
"moral principles, code of conduct"
"Of God; divinely seen"
"A standing position; one who holds their ground; a firm attitude"
"a plaything, a source of joy"
"battle to the death, earnestness"
"elevated, lofty"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Benford — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Old English origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Benford.
Rhythm: Benford is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.