| 100% | DURAG | 5 | "Anyone who has ever worn a ___ spells it '___,'" per a 2018 New York Times article |
| 41% | NEWSOM | 6 | Artist described as "The Indie Singer-Harpist Who Met the Orchestra" in a 2008 New York Times article |
| 39% | RACHELMADDOW | 12 | MSNBC host who co-constructed a New York Times crossword in 2018: 2 wds. |
| 39% | MELINDAGATES | 12 | Billionaire philanthropist who co-constructed a New York Times crossword in 2018: 2 wds. |
| 36% | LADYBUNNY | 9 | Longtime New York night-life presence, and “arguably the city’s reigning drag queen,” per a 2018 Times piece |
| 34% | THEFORCE | 8 | "A mixture of what appears to be ESP and early Christian faith," per a 1977 New York Times film review |
| 33% | DANA | 4 | Actor Delany, who co-wrote a crossword for The New York Times in 2011 |
| 32% | DANADELANY | 10 | "China Beach" star who coauthored a New York Times Sunday crossword in 2011: 2 wds. |
| 32% | NATASHALYONNE | 13 | "Russian Doll" actress who co-constructed a New York Times crossword in 2019: 2 wds. |
| 32% | READE | 5 | Walter who has a New York movie theater named after him |
| 32% | KAKU | 4 | Michio ___, theoretical physicist and New York Times best-selling author who has hosted several TV specials |
| 32% | GRETE | 5 | Waitz who won the New York City Marathon a record nine times |
| 32% | BRADY | 5 | Tom ___, former New England Patriots quarterback who has been invited to the Pro Bowl a record-setting 15 times |
| 31% | ABRAHAM | 7 | ___ Lincoln, 16th US President who has a wax statue at Madame Tussauds, New York |
| 31% | ALEXRODRIGUEZ | 13 | Infielder who wore number 13 during his time with the New York Yankees: 2 wds. |
| 31% | BILLMAHER | 9 | "Real Time" host who owns a minority share of the New York Mets: 2 wds. |
| 30% | NOONE | 5 | Who has ever won a debate over the internet? |
| 30% | DORKS | 5 | “Known ___” (ClickHole list that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Yoda, and “anyone who has ever read a comic book”) |
| 30% | OBAMA | 5 | 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Barack ___, who has a wax statue in Madame Tussauds, New York |
| 30% | BEE | 3 | Spelling ___ (word game in the New York Times) |
| 29% | ARTS | 4 | New York Times section that has the crossword |
| 29% | KEN | 3 | Twice, a New York Times puzzle |
| 29% | QADDAFI | 7 | "Wrong" way to spell a world leader's name in a New York Times crossword, according to a 1999 episode of "The West Wing" |
| 29% | EZRA | 4 | Klein with a New York Times podcast |
| 28% | BRYANTROTTIER | 13 | Hockey Hall of Famer who scored 5 goals in a single game two times for the New York Islanders: 2 wds. |
| 28% | ONEPM | 5 | Time in Tokyo when it's midnight in New York |
| 28% | HEIDIKLUM | 9 | German Victoria's Secret model, also a judge on AGT who has a wax statue at Madame Tussauds, New York: 2 wds. |
| 28% | TWOPM | 5 | Time in Tokyo when it's midnight in New York City |
| 28% | APPEALTOAUTHORITY | 17 | Besides, The New York Times said it was good! |
| 28% | OCHS | 4 | Adolph who purchased The New York Times in 1896 |