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).
Dale
Dale was more common in the past and has since settled at a lower, steady level. All-time it's been given to 303,363 U.S. babies, the 2,098th most common name by sound today, peaking at 9,175 in 1958, with 134 in 2025.
By sound, Dale also includes the spellings Dayle.
Rising