Maher sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Mahir, Maher, and Mayer are the closest matches by sound. Most share Maher's Arabic-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"skilled, expert, proficient"
"God is my salvation"
"companion of God"
"grace of God + home ruler"
"brave warrior (via Wyatt)"
"heart, mind"
"of the gods"
"spear, from the oak grove"
"from the gray estate"
"unbranded steer (original meaning)"
"lucky, fortunate"
"to offer, to announce"
"related to Everett (brave boar)"
"friend of the gods (Germanic tradition)"
"king's settlement"
"olive tree man"
"ash tree clearing"
"golden, gilded"
"meadow dweller"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Maher — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Arabic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Maher.
Rhythm: Maher is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.