Melinda sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Linda, Belinda, and Malinda are the closest matches by sound. Most share Melinda's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"honey, sweet"
"beautiful"
"brightness, luminosity"
"state of dreamy meditation"
"silver, silver wheel"
"new star, stellar explosion"
"diminutive endearment"
"helper, one who assists"
"bright-headed, strife"
"beautiful, lovely"
"grace, eternal beauty"
"ascending, rising above"
"torch, light"
"gentle, beautiful, precious"
"of the Aryan/Indo-Iranian people"
"reborn + meadow/clearing (Ren + Lee)"
"the tall one, the great one"
"beautiful, noble"
"eternal flower, forever flowering"
"noble strength"
"divine, godlike"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Melinda — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Melinda.
Rhythm: Melinda is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.