Neilani sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Leilani, Nailani, and Nalani are the closest matches by sound. Most share Neilani's Hawaiian cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"heavenly mist, here in heaven"
"noble one, of noble lineage"
"most beautiful woman"
"briar rose (fairy tale association)"
"the west wind god"
"maiden, girl"
"narrow channel, strait"
"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"
"member of the Gaut tribe"
"healing herb, health"
"hay clearing, meadow clearing"
"dark, rich one of God"
"ingenious hero"
"life-giving, full of life"
"strong, courageous"
"lioness of God"
"YHWH is God"
"fragrant spice tree"
"lake, beautiful"
"wise protector"
"modern invented Caribbean feminine name"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Neilani — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Hawaiian origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Neilani.
Rhythm: Neilani is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.