Ren sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Wren, Ben, and Ken are the closest matches by sound. Most share Ren's Japanese cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"lotus, water lily"
"God-like"
"wise as a wolf"
"Norse man, Viking settler"
"love, passion transformed"
"rejoice, be glad"
"anointed one"
"peace"
"stream, small brook"
"free man"
"elf warrior"
"coal farm"
"victorious, crowned one"
"elevated, sublime, high"
"rival, eager to excel"
"God has given"
"valley dweller, from the valley"
"from the Eider river"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Ren — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Japanese origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Ren.
Rhythm: Ren is a 1-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.