Malu sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Malu, Malou, and Mila are the closest matches by sound. Most share Malu's Portuguese-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"peaceful, calm, shelter"
"calm, gentle waters"
"battle warrior, fighter"
"holy, saint"
"divine life force from the sky"
"the beloved one"
"heavenly, royal"
"beloved, darling"
"of the Lord, belonging to God"
"pledge, surety"
"perseverance"
"cool fragrance"
"divine garland"
"gift of Isis"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Malu — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hawaiian/Polynesian origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Malu.
Rhythm: Malu is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.