Maya sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Mia, Kaia, and Aya are the closest matches by sound. Most share Maya's Indian-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"water"
"life, living one"
"petite, feminine"
"oarsman"
"hazel tree"
"ewe by the lake, graceful"
"flower named for botanist Pierre Magnol"
"bringer of good news"
"noble and powerful"
"song, tune, music"
"strength"
"born of fire, bright one's son"
"courageous, valiant"
"may Jehovah increase"
"high tower, elevated"
"blend of Maria and Ana"
"soft-haired, youthful"
"noble oath"
"devoted to God"
"princess, noblewoman"
"swift, agile"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Maya — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hebrew origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Maya.
Rhythm: Maya is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.