Zalayah sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Aaliyah, Alaya, and Zara are the closest matches by sound. Most share Zalayah's Modern American coined-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"radiant, brilliant"
"the desired one"
"little child, darling"
"birch wood clearing"
"the name of Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary"
"feminine form of Ilan (tree)"
"place of the royal family (modern cultural meaning)"
"grace, favor (from Ana/Hannah)"
"soft breeze, gentle wind"
"God is gracious"
"pearl"
"highly valued gift"
"bright + spring"
"middle of the week"
"Wished for child"
"from the highest mountain"
"strong, aromatic wood"
"free spirit (modern connotation)"
"descendant of Riagán"
"barberry shrub"
"small sheltered bay or inlet"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Zalayah — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Modern American coined origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Zalayah.
Rhythm: Zalayah is a 3-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.