Marlene sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Arlene, Charline, and Darlene are the closest matches by sound. Most share Marlene's German-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"wished-for child"
"myrtle plant"
"light, luminosity"
"great one"
"sounding together"
"flower, blossom, radiance"
"noble kind"
"twinflower (Linnaea borealis)"
"to love deeply, to worship"
"God is gracious"
"unique beauty (possible Zulu-influenced)"
"timid (from Bilhah)"
"beloved, wished-for child"
"son of Adam"
"fiery, impetuous"
"ember meadow; fiery clearing"
"steadfast, constant, unwavering"
"day's work, daily passage"
"Christmas, born at Christmas"
"God's wonder"
"royal woodland clearing"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Marlene — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hebrew (via Maria) origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Marlene.
Rhythm: Marlene is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.