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).
Sterling
Sterling has been climbing in recent years. All-time it's been given to 41,197 U.S. babies, the 637th most common name by sound today, peaking at 1,162 in 2025, with 1,162 in 2025.
Sterling has no common alternate spellings by sound.
Rising
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, “National data” baby-names files (1880–2025).