Salim sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Salem, Saleem, and Solomon are the closest matches by sound. Most share Salim's Arabic-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"safe, unharmed, peaceful"
"he who sings/speaks"
"increasing, growing, abundance"
"pleasant companion, entertainer"
"studious, learned one"
"devotee of God's mercy"
"letter Z sound"
"lotus flower"
"to return, repentant"
"moonlight, like the moon"
"servant, worshipper"
"one who sees, observer"
"perfect, complete"
"the pure, the selected"
"disobedient, rebellious, wild"
"worshipper of Allah"
"rich, prosperous (folk interpretation)"
"pillar, cornerstone"
"friend of God (theological use)"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Salim — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Arabic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Salim.
Rhythm: Salim is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.