10 Best Girl's Names...And 5 of the Worst

These are the best names for females. My criteria is strictly how mellifluous they sound, how they flow off the tongue and enter the ear in a pleasing tone, nothing else. I docked points for over-use, though. If every other girl in your town is named Jennifer, it's just not going to make the cut, no matter how pretty it is.

1) Olivia - Just a gorgeous name, period. Vowel-consonant-vowel is a great recipe for a great name. Celeb proof: Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn.

2) Laura - The best 2-syllable name ever; although, I'm probably ranking it so high because I have a thing for the classic movie of the same name. Shortening it to the more casual "Laurie," however, ruins it. Famous Lauras: Linney and Prepon.

3) Samantha - Very pretty name, and one of the few that when shortened to a nickname - "Sam" - is still pretty darn cute. Celeb proof: Samantha Morton and "Dancing With the Stars'" Samantha Harris.

4) Sarah - Apparently, Jews are good at naming chicks, because this Biblical name is incredibly simple yet beautiful at the same time. Famous Sarahs: Polley, Jessica Parker.

5) Sofia - This one has fallen out of fashion over the last few years, but it's still a beautiful-sounding name, both classy and Old World. Celeb proof: Sofia Coppola, Sofia Loren.

6) Rachel - Another Biblical name that has now, thanks to Jennifer Aniston, become the default "Girl Next Door" name. Famous Rachels: McAdams, Bilson, Weisz.

7) Jessica - Docked a few points for over-use, but still a gorgeous name. Celeb proof: the holy trinity of Jessicas: Alba, Beil, and Rabbit.

8) Isabelle/Isabella - A lovely European name is always welcome. Famous examples: Isabella Rossellini, Isabelle Adjani, poker player Isabelle Mercier.

9) Katerina/Katherine - but only if it begins with a "K," not a "C," for some odd reason. And shortening it to "Kathy" is just awful. Celeb proof: Heigl, "American Idol's" Katherine McPhee.

10) Siobhán - Some Celtic madness for the last name on the list. Bonus points if you know how to actually pronounce it! Famous proof: English singer-songwriter Siobhán Donagy, ex-Bananarama gal Siobhán Fahey.

Since I did the best names, I have to mention the worst ones, right?
The worst-sounding names for girls:

Myrtle
Gertrude
Blanche
Ida
Eunice

Please, never name your daughter one of these. I'm guessing if we follow this rule, they will die a natural death in 15 or so years, because no one under the age of 75 has one of these names.

And, just for giggles, here are the three names that will absolutely guarantee your daughter will end up twirling around a pole:

Shannon
Amber
Heather

Don't blame me, you know it's true.