Nell sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Belle, Nell, and Ellie are the closest matches by sound. Most share Nell's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"bright, shining one"
"bright, radiant"
"prophetess"
"goddess of the hunt"
"pretty rose"
"God is gracious (from Juana/Joanna)"
"home on the wooded hill"
"linden tree"
"who is like God"
"torch of light (from Eleanor)"
"great queen, divine queen"
"friend"
"royal dignity, sovereign power"
"dark meadow or pale clearing"
"a falling, a flowing"
"red king"
"healer, one who makes whole"
"noble, nobility"
"ardor, enthusiasm, passion"
"place of linden trees"
"from the lake, lake-born"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Nell — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek via English origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Nell.
Rhythm: Nell is a 1-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.