Leona sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Lenora, Leona, and Lena are the closest matches by sound. Most share Leona's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"lioness"
"devoted to Jove (Jupiter)"
"ambergris, waxy substance"
"pearl"
"wonderful, admirable"
"messenger"
"pure, clear"
"crown of laurels"
"hollow land, forested land"
"adventurous peace"
"shining light"
"reddish-brown earth color"
"flowering, blooming"
"loved, valued"
"son/child of Kenneth (the handsome)"
"of noble kind"
"settlement by the leek garden"
"clear (as in clear skies)"
"from 'Van' + 'Essa' (pet form of Esther)"
"fair; beautiful; harmonious"
"high tower"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Leona — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Latin origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Leona.
Rhythm: Leona is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.