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).
Nicholas
Nicholas is down from its peak but still widely used. All-time it's been given to 1,097,878 U.S. babies, the 103rd most common name by sound today, peaking at 32,898 in 1995, with 5,680 in 2025.
By sound, Nicholas also includes the spellings Nicolas, Nickolas, Nikolas, Nicklaus.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).