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).
Emerson
Emerson has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 93,236 U.S. babies, the 118th most common name by sound today, peaking at 5,847 in 2025, with 5,847 in 2025.
By sound, Emerson also includes the spellings Emersyn, Emmerson.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).