Meryl sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Merrill, Muriel, and Cheryl are the closest matches by sound. Most share Meryl's Welsh cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"bright sea, shining pool"
"heavenly child (blended meaning)"
"wealthy, rich"
"God is my judge"
"great mother, goddess"
"moon (from Roman goddess Luna)"
"strong, vigorous"
"poem with repeated refrain"
"man of God, hero of God"
"the heavens, peaceful"
"modern invented blend of Ava and Savannah"
"pearl"
"grace, flexibility"
"slender, fair"
"God is my father"
"ship island"
"of Mars, warlike"
"royal, of the Kayanian dynasty"
"of noble kind"
"to go up, ascend"
"place name: Zeppelinheim, Germany"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Meryl — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Celtic/Welsh origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Meryl.
Rhythm: Meryl is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.