Vala sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Wala, Mala, and Thala are the closest matches by sound. Most share Vala's Norse-rooted cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"Chosen one; seeress"
"gift from God"
"free man"
"of the elder tree"
"faithful, honest, genuine"
"divine, goddess"
"blessed"
"contemplation, beholding"
"beautiful spirit/soul"
"good descent (patronymic)"
"dear little cross (term of endearment)"
"Free one; one from France"
"pure, gentle, mild"
"sea sparkle"
"pure"
"fair shoulder"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Vala — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Old Norse origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Vala.
Rhythm: Vala is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.