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"
"house of God (possible Bethel derivation)"
"old, wise ruler"
"from the flowering place"
"black and blue-green"
"from the alder grove"
"olive tree; symbol of peace and wisdom"
"from Flanders, Flemish person"
"Ford by the windy place; a river crossing in a breezy location"
"the strait, narrow waterway"
"daylight, the day"
"skilled metalworker"
"little raven"
"nobleman, pledge"
"glory of the homeland"
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.