Malia sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Mia, Amalia, and Maliah are the closest matches by sound. Most share Malia's Hawaiian cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"calm, peaceful"
"battlefield"
"dark-haired, dark"
"weary; tired"
"wild boar meadow"
"spiritual gladness, divine blessing"
"dark challenger"
"the sea"
"my God has answered"
"symbol of peace and wisdom"
"to be strong, to be healthy"
"little ruler, impulsive one"
"little rose"
"king of elves"
"crowned one"
"lovable, dear"
"home ruler, estate ruler"
"pure, maiden"
"little ruler, impulsive one"
"peaceful, tranquil place"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Malia — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hawaiian origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Malia.
Rhythm: Malia is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.