Makai sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Makei, Mikal, and Micah are the closest matches by sound. Most share Makai's Hawaiian cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"toward the sea, seaward"
"land where rye grows"
"watchful, vigilant (via Casey influence)"
"God's peace, divine peace"
"child"
"son, young boy"
"of the Julian clan, youthful"
"bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)"
"brave warrior (later folk etymology)"
"one who lives near a riverbank"
"seven; divine completion"
"manly, strong, courageous"
"one who crafts arrows"
"healer (if derived from Jason/Kason)"
"protector of mankind"
"son of"
"son of Benedict/Benjamin"
"rocky land, stony ground"
"from the brushwood thicket"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Makai — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hawaiian origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Makai.
Rhythm: Makai is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.