Hayes sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Haze, Hays, and Grace are the closest matches by sound. Most share Hayes's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"hedged area, forest clearing"
"renowned in battle"
"firstborn daughter"
"primordial goddess of night"
"celebration, party"
"raven island"
"harmony, fair one"
"truthful, honorable"
"adored, beloved"
"full of life and energy"
"gatekeeper, doorman"
"from Amabel, dear one"
"radiant counsel (via Germanic Ray + Lin)"
"sea dragon, small"
"the name of Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary"
"noble woman"
"guardian, watch mountain"
"sparkling, to flash or sparkle"
"innocent"
"pleasant, delightful"
"gift from God"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Hayes — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Old English origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Hayes.
Rhythm: Hayes is a 1-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.