Edwards sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Edward, Edwin, and Edmund are the closest matches by sound. Most share Edwards's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"guardian of prosperity"
"short form of Critias"
"free one, Frankish person"
"dweller near the holly trees"
"island of roses"
"holly tree, evergreen plant with red berries"
"Border land by the meadow"
"lord of the marches, borderlands nobleman"
"Royal meadow; kings clearing"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Edwards — 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 Edwards.
Rhythm: Edwards is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.