How to read the band →
Solid line = floor (spellings that unambiguously belong to the group). Shaded band up to the dashed edge = ceiling (the most it could reach if every ambiguous spelling counted here).
Axel
Axel has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 77,081 U.S. babies, the 149th most common name by sound today, peaking at 4,998 in 2020, with 4,338 in 2025.
By sound, Axel also includes the spellings Axl.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).