Zelda sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Zelda, Velda, and Thelda are the closest matches by sound. Most share Zelda's Germanic cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"gray battle maiden"
"deep affection, devotion"
"close to God, Yahweh has answered"
"help, helper"
"to ward off, protect"
"Ceol's island, ship island"
"bright, shining"
"quaking aspen tree"
"eternally beloved"
"strong, full-grown"
"night, twilight"
"light, bright one"
"land of mountains"
"descendant of the king"
"dark, rich (possibly referring to the dark Adriatic waters)"
"birch tree meadow"
"modern invented name with -ley suffix"
"short form of Cleopatra: glory of the father"
"from Massy, Normandy"
"warrior, raider"
"pearl"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Zelda — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Germanic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Zelda.
Rhythm: Zelda is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.