Mabel sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Maybel, Maple, and Mamie are the closest matches by sound. Most share Mabel's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"lovable, dear"
"free man"
"life"
"strength, work"
"night rain"
"wise, the herb sage"
"descendant of the army"
"Gael, wanderer"
"source of joy"
"meadow covered in heather"
"strong man of God"
"goddess, oak tree"
"patron of musicians, derived from Latin caecus meaning blind"
"work-power, industrious strength"
"beautiful ray of light"
"sorrows"
"divine play"
"diminutive of Sarah"
"helmeted chief"
"bright, radiant, shining"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Mabel — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Latin origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Mabel.
Rhythm: Mabel is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.