Ray sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Rey, Rae, and Wray are the closest matches by sound. Most share Ray's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"wise protector"
"deep valley dwellers"
"bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)"
"church official, rule of law"
"untamed, wild-natured"
"strong warrior"
"father figure, patriarch"
"little cloak, beloved"
"white/pale (from Cas people)"
"sea fortress, sea friend"
"descendant of the sea warrior"
"God is gracious"
"gentle, tamed"
"gray-haired one"
"son of Nicholas, son of Nick"
"beloved companion"
"leader, commander (variant interpretation)"
"where roses grow"
"gift, wealthy possessor"
"herb farm, meadow settlement"
"name of God"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Ray — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Germanic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Ray.
Rhythm: Ray is a 1-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.