Comments on: How to Remember Names

on 5/11/2007 I have tried everything to remember peoples names with little success. Finally, I found a way that works for me. When someone says, "My name is Sean" I try and think if I know any other Seans. Then I just picture in my head the two of them standing together in my head. Now I have an association of the new guy, with someone I already know....and they have the same name!

on 2/25/2007 Picture something synoniem to the name.

on 9/24/2006 If you have forgotten a person's name and can't recall it, then ask the following question:

YOU: What's your name?
THEM: John.
YOU: No, I meant your last name.
THEM: Oh, Johnson.

Even if they don't want you to know their last name, then you will still know their first name. This works about 98% of the time. Multiple times on the same person works also.

on 8/8/2006 If you can't remember the name of the person you are talking to, find someone you do know (like a co-worker or spouse) and introduce them by saying, "Hey, I want you to meet someone, this is my wife Mary." Then they will say, "oh, my name is Joe, it's nice to meet you Mary." Then you now know is name!

on 8/8/2006 Repeat the name immediately. Example: "Traci, this is Bob." While studying his face, I respond, "Bob! Good to meet you." I frequently throw a compliment in there, "neat tie", "cute pin", "beautiful earrings!" to help jog my memory.

on 6/30/2006 At the end of a conversation with a group of new people, I often ask to go over names again -- they are much more likely to stick, now that I have a bit of knowledge of the person to connect them to.

But no one can remember everyone, so tactful queries are needed -- "Remind me of your surname", "I think I am confused about which organization you represent" and sensitivity that who you are talking to may be desperately trying to recall who you are!

on 6/30/2006 When you are introduced to someone, imagine that the person's name is being written in front of you. Write the name of the person in the air in front of you in a nice, bold font with the person's face beside it. You will recollect this name very easily the next time you think of this person. This is the visual technique of remembering anything - names or numbers.

on 6/30/2006 Take the person's name and create an odd picture in your mind that creates an association. For example, I know a Scott who plays bass guitar, and I could never remember his name. I started imagining him standing with a roll of Scott paper towels wrapped around the neck of his guitar. It's weird enough that it sticks in my mind!

on 6/30/2006 Link the person's name with the name of a person you already who has the same name.
For example, I linked a Casper with Casper the friendly ghost.

on 3/26/2006 My husband is terrible at remembering names, so when he's met someone and then can't remember their name, he gets me to come over and introduce myself to them so that they'll then tell me their name and my husband can hear it again!

on 1/16/2006 If you are unsure of their name, slip in any male or female name and they will correct you.

on 11/22/2005 I usually try to remember the first letter and the last letter of a persons name and mentally fill in the blanks.

on 11/22/2005 On occasion when I forget the name of the person I ask them for their full name. This way they think I just forgot their last name, and not the first name.

on 11/22/2005 I know this might sound crazy, but when meeting someone for the first time, especially in high pressure situations (such as trying to make a good impression on a potential client or trying to get closer to someone your interested in), make them smile. Usually just smiling yourself will do it, I find it much easier to remember the name of a smiling person than someone who is grumpy. If all else fails though, and no matter which of the techniques you use to remember the name won't help, be courteous but not apologetic. Do not put yourself down for having a bad memory. Explain that you have been trying to take in a lot of new names in a short space of time and they're all getting mingled together, especially first and last names (which could come as quite a shock when you handing out coats at the end of the evening). Standing there staring blankly trying to remember someones name, or having to use it at least 3 times in the first few seconds, is annoying. What I find more insulting than someone not remembering my name (and admitting it) is either getting it wrong completely or pronouncing it wrong.

on 11/22/2005 If you can't remember the name of the person you are talking to, find someone you do know (like a co-worker or spouse) and introduce them by saying, "Hey, I want you to meet someone, this is my wife Mary." Then they will say, "oh, my name is Joe, it's nice to meet you Mary." Then you now know is name!