Maleia sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Malia, Maliah, and Aleia are the closest matches by sound. Most share Maleia's Hawaiian cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"beloved, dear one"
"royal meadow"
"nobility, distinguished birth"
"grace, favor"
"white hero"
"Yahweh is gracious"
"the moon goddess"
"grey land, rocky ground"
"crowned with laurels (via Stephanie)"
"black-haired, dark wisdom"
"lake clearing"
"queen of the gods (variant of Juno)"
"who is like God?"
"pearl; precious gem"
"modern blend of Taylor and -lyn suffix"
"beloved"
"white, fair"
"clear, unsullied"
"purity, innocence"
"hazel island"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Maleia — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hebrew Miriam via Hawaiian origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Maleia.
Rhythm: Maleia is a 4-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.