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).
Ray
Ray has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 244,949 U.S. babies, the 727th most common name by sound today, peaking at 3,890 in 1957, with 800 in 2025.
By sound, Ray also includes the spellings Rae, Rey.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).