Elena sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Eleanor, Elaine, and Helena are the closest matches by sound. Most share Elena's Italian-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"Bright, shining light; torch"
"God has answered me"
"park warden"
"pleasant, sweet"
"pure"
"born of Juno, goddess of marriage"
"island"
"birth, natal"
"diminutive of Harriet (home ruler)"
"king's wood; royal clearing"
"nobility, aristocratic lineage"
"may Jehovah increase"
"Aryan, noble people"
"famous, renowned"
"grace, favor"
"pure, unsullied"
"illusion, magic"
"hay meadow"
"lioness of God"
"life, living"
"the daisy flower"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Elena — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Elena.
Rhythm: Elena is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.