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 is now well below its former popularity. All-time it's been given to 1,006,024 U.S. babies, the 1,999th 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.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).