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).
Nova
Nova has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 62,993 U.S. babies, the 102nd most common name by sound today, peaking at 6,671 in 2022, with 5,075 in 2025.
By sound, Nova also includes the spellings Novah.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).