Elaine sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Elane, Elain, and Lane are the closest matches by sound. Most share Elaine's Welsh cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"sunray, shining light"
"flower settlement"
"skilled metalworker"
"from Flanders, Flemish person"
"olive tree; symbol of peace and wisdom"
"daylight, the day"
"alder tree dweller"
"little raven"
"dark river, dark stream"
"The great; the large"
"elder counsel"
"eagle"
"the strait, narrow waterway"
"field settlement"
"Ford by the windy place; a river crossing in a breezy location"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Elaine — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Welsh/Greek origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Elaine.
Rhythm: Elaine is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.