Mariya sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Maria, Mariah, and Maya are the closest matches by sound. Most share Mariya's Russian-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"beloved, wished-for child"
"pure, virtuous"
"predawn, early morning"
"Defender; one who defends or helps (from alexein)"
"one who gives sincere advice, counselor"
"short form of -lina names"
"guardian, protector"
"lake, waterfall"
"God is gracious"
"one who forsakes, one who emigrates"
"noble, respected, dignified"
"from Rome, Roman heritage"
"pure, clean"
"righteous, pious, virtuous"
"short form of Johanna or Henrietta"
"forever, always"
"generous, covered with dew"
"clear, unsullied"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Mariya — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hebrew origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Mariya.
Rhythm: Mariya is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.