Rufus sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Rufous, Remus, and Cletus are the closest matches by sound. Most share Rufus's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"red-haired, auburn-haired"
"clean, righteous"
"royal divine spark"
"beautiful, handsome"
"ocean, sea (from Kai)"
"peaceful, tranquil"
"special, particular (German root)"
"broad meadow, wide clearing"
"sea stone, seaside settlement"
"hawthorn tree, thorny hedge enclosure"
"virtuous, upright"
"he will laugh, he laughs"
"modern invention, noble and bold"
"dweller by the lake"
"thankful, he will judge"
"thunder"
"descendant of Ógán"
"consecrated, worthy of reverence"
"dweller at the white cultivated land"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Rufus — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Latin origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Rufus.
Rhythm: Rufus is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.