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"
"daylight, the day"
"The great; the large"
"Ford by the windy place; a river crossing in a breezy location"
"old, wise ruler"
"loving, affectionate (if from Philemon)"
"eagle"
"house of God (possible Bethel derivation)"
"field settlement"
"alder tree dweller"
"skilled metalworker"
"black and blue-green"
"olive tree; symbol of peace and wisdom"
"little raven"
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.