Marilyn sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Carolyn, Maryellen, and Marilynn are the closest matches by sound. Most share Marilyn's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"beloved, wished-for child (from Hebrew Miriam via Mary)"
"flower, blossom, radiance"
"month of Aphrodite"
"defender of people"
"bringer of destruction"
"one who mills grain"
"torch, radiant"
"dream, aspiration, vision"
"salt worker, salt town"
"beautiful, rare and precious"
"nourishing, kind"
"little bird"
"faith, trust"
"noble, nobility"
"from Brittany, land of the Britons"
"precious stone"
"the great sea, vast waters"
"who is like God?"
"holy bridge place"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Marilyn — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hebrew via Latin origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Marilyn.
Rhythm: Marilyn is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.