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).
Shepherd
Shepherd has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 11,534 U.S. babies, the 564th most common name by sound today, peaking at 1,684 in 2025, with 1,684 in 2025.
By sound, Shepherd also includes the spellings Shepard.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).