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"
"other, foreign honor"
"slender, fair"
"helper, one who assists"
"my God is an oath"
"from the Isle of Capri"
"the state of being divine or sacred"
"excellence, mastery (from Ace) + lake/waterfall (from Lynn)"
"gentle, beautiful, precious"
"invented modern name"
"God is gracious"
"pure"
"great mother, goddess"
"bright one"
"dignity, esteem, reputation"
"my delight, my pleasantness"
"conch shell"
"divine wonder, blessing"
"coral, the marine organism"
"culturally associated with grace and strength via Patrick Swayze"
"descendant of the dark-eyed"
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.