Gretel sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Greta, Gretel, and Margot are the closest matches by sound. Most share Gretel's German-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"pearl"
"climbing vine, fidelity"
"fellow countrymen"
"God is willing"
"pure"
"noble, exalted, high"
"the natural world, innate character"
"that which surrounds"
"climbing vine, one who reaches upward"
"noble, of noble kind"
"from the court"
"gentle one"
"whole, universal, entire"
"dry (from Greek azaleos)"
"languishing"
"honesty, veracity, reality, that which is real"
"strong, healthy, vigorous"
"place by the meadow"
"grey color"
"victory, triumph"
"hazel island"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Gretel — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek via Germanic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Gretel.
Rhythm: Gretel is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.