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).
Carol was more common in the past and has since settled at a lower, steady level. All-time it's been given to 1,006,024 U.S. babies, the 2,099th most common name by sound today, peaking at 40,586 in 1942, with 136 in 2025.
By sound, Carol also includes the spellings Carole, Carroll, Karol, Carrol, Caryl.