7 Hacks to Remember Any Name

69 Comments

Our name is one of those hard wired words in our subconscious (like “Free” and “Sex”), which has the intrinsic trigger to get our attention. You are more likely to react and respond to the sound of your name than say the word “apple”.

The ability to remember people’s names is an incredibly useful skill, in business and social interactions. Do you remember how impressed or surprised you were the last time someone remembered your name? I still get impressed, and I tend to remember these people in an especially warm and friendly light.

I have a distinct, short and easy to remember name (“Tina Su”). I often fall victim to the embarrassment of not remembering names of people who approach me with “Hi Tina, how are you?” My mind would go into panic, thinking “Oh crap! What’s her name again?”

I have developed the following techniques to help myself remember names. I’ve used each one extensively and they have proven to be effective in my experience. I want to share these with you, and hope that you will find them as valuable as I have.

Similar to keeping your inbox uncluttered, the trick is to take immediate (mental) action upon a new introduction.

1. Trust Yourself

Many of us ‘believe’ that we are “horrible at names” and we are very ‘proud’ of this fact by telling other people about it. By relying on this story we’ve created, we instantly forget people’s names the moment we hear it, without even trying, because we are “horrible at names”. I have been guilty of this. So, STOP telling people that you are “Bad at names”. You are not bad at names, you just have not implemented a system that worked for you yet. Tell yourself, “I am fantastic at remembering names! And I’m gonna practicing start now.”

2. Seeing Faces

If you know another person with the same name, try the following:

See that person’s face in your imagination.
Now, see the person’s face bounce up-and-down (perhaps smiling at you).
Now, see the new person’s face, bouncing up-and-down beside the first face.
Repeat steps A to C several times

3. Using Sound Tricks

If you do not know another person with this same, try the following mnemonics using sound:

Repeat their names several times in your head, while noting the following:
1. Exaggerate the sounds. Prolong the syllables. Ie. “Teeeeeeeee-Naaaaa!” The funnier, the funkier and disturbing, the better for remembering.
2. ‘Chunking‘ – Break the name into several distinguishable parts/words.
Associate parts of name with words you’re already familiar with and can easily pronounce. Ie. “Ramesh” = Mesh, Mash
Create a story – Especially great for foreign, long or unusual names. I sometimes find it helpful to create a little story containing familiar words from step b to serve as memorable cues. Make the story highly visual, especially great if the story sounds silly and makes you laugh.
Example, “Bengodi” -> “Ben Afflect is going to become a deejay.”

4. Hear the Sounds Repeated

Look into their eyes while being introduced and repeat their name several times out aloud.
I like asking the following questions after being introduced. The reason I ask is to give me additional time and opportunity to practice their names on the spot:

“Did I pronounce it correctly?”
“How do you pronounce that?”
“Could you repeat it?”

I would repeat it several times after they answer the question, and check with them that I’ve got the correct pronunciation. Again, this technique gives me an excuse to practice their names, also ensures that I’m pronouncing it right. People typically do not mind to help you learn their names.

5. See the Spelling Visually

Practice seeing each letter clearly in your mind. Sound out each letter as you see them. Repeat the process of seeing and hearing each letter in sequence.
Example. “Tyler” – “Tee, Y, L, E, R, Tyler!”

Two tips for this technique:

Clarify Spelling – Ask “How do you spell that?” This gives extra time and chance to practice the technique. Make sure to repeat the letters back to the person (and see the letters as you say it). Don’t worry about sounding or looking silly. If you are genuine about learning someone’s name, they will actually appreciate it.
“Dancing Letters” – As you pass through each letter, see it move a little. It could be shaking, bouncing, wobbling in its place. This will help your mind to remain the memory.

6. Writing it Down

Always useful to have some scrap paper and pen with you. Better yet, use your notebook if you carry one. When the person is not looking or when you are in the bathroom, quickly jot down the names or sounds of names.

(Optionally) write a one-liner description beside the name
At conferences, I will have a page in my notebook dedicated to names. After meeting someone new, I would write it down in this page along with a quick distinct reminder about that person.

Examples:

i. “John, the real estate guy from Portland.”
ii. “Zoe, the myspace programmer.”

I like dumping names on paper or in a record (Item 6 below). Using this technique, I don’t need to carry it around in my mind and be constantly reminding myself of it.

7. Keeping Records

Keep a file on your computer, or even better yet, use google docs (virtual WORD documents). Call it “The Name Record” or TNR.

I use this to record names of people who I may come in contact with again. I use this to record names of people from my building (as I meet them), and for anyone I meet at any gathering I attend. When writing down a name, it is important to associate the name with a memorable fact or story.

Example entries:

“Unit 406 – Manik, Indian guy, very nice, 30 years old, works at Boeing.”
“Derek – friend of Josh. music director, they went to same college, big eyes, sarcastic.”

Try using these techniques one at a time. Practice, and when you feel comfortable, try another. Believe in yourself; the more you want to remember a name, the easier it will come.

Do you have any techniques that you use to remember names? What has worked for you in the past? Please share in the comments!

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on StumbleUpon or bookmark it on del.icio.us. I appreciate your support. :)

69 Responses (52 Comments, 17 Trackbacks ):

Comments

Lawrence Cheok

Oct 26 07, 7:14 am UTC

1
Thanks Tina, another great article. I’m one of those who always have problem remembering names. But it’s so important; coz when you address people by their name in conversations, it really impress them that you respect them. It’s just so important. Thanks again for these tips, Tina :)
Tina Su

Oct 26 07, 8:19 am UTC

2
Hey Lawrence, thanks for commenting. I agree.. I can always sense the settle joy in people’s voices when I address someone I met recently by their name. :)
Raj

Oct 26 07, 9:02 am UTC

3
How sweet it is while somebody calls me by name, it’s like honey flowing thru ears. Won’t it be the same feeling that others too have? Though I easily forget names, (at times even my close relatives, lol) I too follow such gimmicks but you have neatly charted them out. Great! Keep up the good work.
Tina Su

Oct 26 07, 9:18 am UTC

4
RE: at times even my close relatives, lol

hahaha.. that’s funny Raj. Thank you for commenting. I’ve never thought about it the way you have put it “How sweet it is while somebody calls me by name, it’s like honey flowing thru ears.” … but it’s so true. It really is like honey flowing through our ears. :) Have a great day Raj!
David Rogers

Oct 26 07, 11:27 am UTC

5
My problem is my surname is also a christian name. If I had a £/$1 for every time I’m called Roger I’d be a millionaire by now!
Tina Su

Oct 26 07, 12:04 pm UTC

6
hahaha.. that’s funny! Thanks for sharing David! :) My friend Andy Howard has the same problem. People call him Howard.
deb

Oct 26 07, 12:52 pm UTC

7
Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I love it when that happens because I get to surf to new places, and yours is a rare find! And the added bonus today is that I am becoming great a remembering names!
Goal Setting College

Oct 26 07, 8:13 pm UTC

8
Hey Tina, You know what? You’ve got an excellent blog. Great writing..

Cheers,
Ellesse
Tommy

Oct 27 07, 2:26 am UTC

9
Hi Tina I like Your ideas.
Tommy
HomeSpectorInc.com
Gil

Oct 27 07, 9:59 am UTC

10
Hi Tina! Great article as always. I can vouch for your techniques as I personally practice all of these and more. The problem I had is that, after a while people think I was just plain nuts for seeing funny and wacky images in my head all the time. I don’t care… I’m a millionaire.

As I’ve noted in my book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Being Happy”, sometimes it’s just easier to say: “I’m sorry, I’m so famous, I don’t know what your face is.” : )
Tina Su

Oct 27 07, 10:29 am UTC

11
hahaha… Gil, thanks for the laugh…always. :) I’m gonna go check out your blog now.
Luciano Passuello

Oct 27 07, 11:48 am UTC

12
Hey Tina!
What a coincidence: the latest post in my blog is also about remembering people’s names! :)
How to Always Remember People’s Names
Tina Su

Oct 27 07, 1:18 pm UTC

13
Hi Luciano, Thanks for the link. Great article!
Liara Covert

Oct 28 07, 1:38 am UTC

14
Neumonics can also help. Some people remember visuals better than sounds. Alan & Barbara Pease wrote a great book which covers this called “Easy Peasy: People skills of life”
Gyanish

Oct 28 07, 2:45 pm UTC

15
The content on this blog warrants another visit of mine… You have got a new subscriber. Keep up the great work!
isabella mori

Oct 28 07, 4:34 pm UTC

16
great ideas, tina! thanks for reminding me of the sound tricks. i used to use that in school, and it always worked well (and was fun!)

a friend of mine swears that if he repeats someone’s name three times within five minutes, he’ll never forget that person’s name.
Tina Su

Oct 28 07, 5:49 pm UTC

17
Liara, I’ve not heard of Neumonics. I’ll check that out. Thanks for the suggestion.

Gyanish, Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate your readership and comment. It encourages me to work harder at driving quality content. :)
Tina Su

Oct 28 07, 5:51 pm UTC

18
Hi Isabella,

You’re very welcome.
For me, the sound alone doesn’t always work. I’ve tried repeating it really quickly. Personally, I found it most helpful to both repeating the sound and seeing the spelling. :)

Thanks for your comment!
ToddSchafer

Oct 28 07, 10:53 pm UTC

19
Associate all first names with a concrete object, i.e. Bill with the bill of a duck, Patty with a hamburger patty, then “hang” that concrete object on the most distinguished feature of the person.
If that person has frizzy hair, picture duck bills fallin out of his hair.
And so on..
Gerri

Oct 28 07, 10:54 pm UTC

20
These are great tips which I can surely use!
Tina Su

Oct 28 07, 11:33 pm UTC

21
Hi Todd,

That’s a great technique, I will try to use that sometimes. I like the association between the object reminder and linking that with person’s distinct feature. It sounds very clever. :) Thanks for sharing.

The other thing I use is linking the person with a famous person. Similar to linking it with a friend of the same name. For example, If I met a “Tina”, I could see Tina Turner dancing with her distinct face and overlay that image with the person I’m being introduced to.

Thanks for the comment Todd! It made me smile.

———–

Hi Gerri, Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it. :)
Jacklyn Ker

Oct 30 07, 4:29 am UTC

22
Hey Tina,

Thanks for that! We just cannot afford to not impress others after having this skill!

Cheers!
ToddSchafer

Oct 30 07, 7:55 am UTC

23
I put Edith and David on “bobble” today, and I couldnt really see them bouncing in my mind’s eye.
I pictured them on bobble head dolls, and that worked perfectly.
By the way, since I dont know any other Edith’s, I had to link her to Edith (Archie Bunker’s wife) from “All in the Family.”
Tina Su

Oct 30 07, 9:40 am UTC

24
Todd, hahaha.. that’s funny. Thanks for making me laugh. I don’t know an Edith either… so the first thing that pop’d in my head was “Thomas Edison”.. I found myself repeating the Edissssssson to remember this.
Raymond

Oct 30 07, 9:27 pm UTC

25
Now. I’m good at names. :)
Guardian Angel

Nov 02 07, 9:52 am UTC

26
I have more than 50 names in my mind since I have more than that who I directly handle, and I am using some of your tips, but glad to know from that there are other ways, thanks again…ti…what’s your name again?
Junelle

Nov 20 07, 6:43 pm UTC

27
I remember someone telling me a tip before, because this has been my problem for a long long time now; he said in able to remember the name of the person you just met, when being introduced, say its name out loud – like the one you mentioned. But really my problem is, if you don’t catch my attention, I would really keep on forgetting you.
You are a great person Tina, and you are pinned into my mind.
Robert @ reason4smile

Dec 10 07, 11:17 pm UTC

28
Hi Tina,
This is the first article I read from you, and the one that makes me like your site.

I like the idea you put that a lot of time, our limitation is created by our own belief that it’s our limitation, that’s the same with me when considering that I’m not good with remembering names.

The first step you mentioned is really necessary, trust yourself that you can remember others’ name. Still fail at few instances, but I do find that now I have the belief, and following your other steps, I manage to remember others’ names better.

Thanks for sharing,
Robert
Romnick
Dec 12 07, 9:46 am UTC

29
Quote:Many of us ‘believe’ that we are “horrible at names” and we are very ‘proud’ of this fact by telling other people about it.

Omg lol. This is so true. I keep telling myself I’m bad with birth dates. And yeah, though everyone goes about saying, “It’s ok,” deep down inside, I’m sure they’re a little hurt.

I know I am when they say that lol.

Thanks for this wonder article. From now on, I’ll be the best name-rememberer!
Brian Wu

Dec 23 07, 9:20 pm UTC

30
Great post. I always try and take the time to remember peoples names. But I find that it’s also sort of a good opening if it’s the second time I see someone. I can go up to them and be like “Hey, I met you here. What was your name again?” It is much more impressive if I remember their name, so now I can use your wonderful techniques to try and do so.
http://livemeliora.blogspot.com

Live Ever better and keep it simple :)
CG Walters

Dec 24 07, 12:42 pm UTC

31
Very good ideas, Tina Su.
Blessings to you and all you hold dear,
CG
pearl

Jan 03 08, 5:18 pm UTC

32
#1 made me laugh ‘coz I even said that in a post once ;) great tips tina.. I can definitely use these…
Todd Schafer

Feb 03 08, 9:31 pm UTC

33
I just had to revisit this post, because as we all know, I am so good at remembering names, and will start practicing now.
I met Camaron, a real estate agent who lives in RSM, and reconnected with Walt, a long time friend of PJ’s who flew here from Vermont.
Now, I cant wait to see these dudes again, and get cocky with my memory!
Mario

Feb 16 08, 7:43 pm UTC

34
Tina, great post. Lately, I’ve been using the notes feature in my phone/PDA to jot down the names of people whom I come into contact.

for example: lily from supercuts.

I really like the fact that i can scribble it with the PDA stylis. it’s much quicker that way.
Qleyo

Mar 12 08, 4:57 pm UTC

35
I’m such a culprit, I’ve been using the “I’m very bad with names” excuse all my life. I can remember faces and even what people were wearing (I ‘m an artist, designer and pro-am photographer I guess I tend to treat every moment like a picture) … I can even remember whole conversations, laughs, facial expressions and have a bad habit of post processing conversations in my own time (which I need to stop doing because half the time I’m not fully reacting and filtering keywords) but I never remember names ONLY if they are foreign, very unique or hard to pronounce…so the Johns and Bobs of the world – impossible.

I have to take up these tips. Thanks!
Tress
Mar 15 08, 3:16 pm UTC

36
To avoid the distress and distraction of worrying about not remembering someone’s name, it is perfectly fine to say something like, “Sorry, I am blanking on your name…” Most people will not be offended and will jump right in to help you.
tony

Apr 12 08, 8:50 am UTC

37
I thought I was the only one who was bad at names, Oh No! I am fantastics with Names :) from now on… Thanks a ton

I thought I was hopeless.. But I do have a nice habit of looking at whatever ID they are wearing… if they are, otherwise well, I am bad at names you see :) :)
Thomas Hill

Jun 03 08, 12:57 pm UTC

38
Hi Tina,

One other technique I’ve used when meeting someone new is to picture a familiar face of another person who has the same name. This builds the association from the new face to the familiar name.

I can still see both faces of the people I first tried this with, even though it was 20 years ago. (And yes, I remember the name, too!)

But the bottom line of all of these strategies is to think about the name, not just let it go in one ear, and out the other.

And if, like me, you meet dozens of people a week, and see many of them again, it’s important to give yourself permission to ASK AGAIN. If you see someone that you know you met last week, and can’t remember their name, don’t just avoid using their name. Ask again! I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone be offended.

I did have a few mildly embarrassing moments when I started asking again, after years of saying “How are you”, instead of “How are you, Bob?”, as some people realized I’d been faking for a long time. But they laugh, and you get through it. And now you know their name again!
Toni-Lee Johnstone

Jul 22 08, 7:56 pm UTC

39
Hey Tina, I enjoyed this article, thank-you! One trick that I use to remember people’s names, is I associate their name with a characteristic I’ve noticed in them. For example: Karen (caring.. caring Karen) Or Bill (prosperous aka dollar bills) or Shandra (Sharing Shandra). Ruby (shiny like a ruby)… well you get the idea!
prithvi

Jul 27 08, 3:52 am UTC

40
i want the technique how to remember the names and dates of birth of some persons within no time.
Open Source MD

Oct 13 08, 7:36 pm UTC

41
Most of these methods are time-tested and true, repetition, association, writing it down.

You can also use exchanging emails, phone numbers, facebook, etc to create a follow-up and it makes it easier for remembering their names in the future.
Alexander Reif

Feb 05 09, 7:09 am UTC

42
Hi Tina,

I confirm you that telling yourself and others that you’re not able to remember names is the cause of don’t remember them.

I can vividly remember that I used to NOT have problems to remember peoples names, then in my teens one day there was a friend of my sister in our house,. He was very funny and cool and he was saying that he was unable to remember the names of persons. I must have unconsciously adopted his behaviour and started to tell myself too that lie.

I had the evidence of the fact that it is so last saturday, when I had no difficult to recall exactly name, surname and nickname of o guy i wasn’t seeing since 20 years.

So now I stop to tell myself that lie and start practicing immediately.

Thanks T ehh…
…which was your name ? Tara ?

ciao
alexander :D
textilesinfomediarydotcom

Feb 06 09, 3:40 am UTC

43
Here in remembering chunking is discussed, also try to get bizzary images to associate with name, make them feel out of propertion, bring motion and action in your thought.
If this techniques are well set in link method of memory thought by us shall make your memory more powerful than what u feel now.
Alexander Reif

Feb 09 09, 9:40 am UTC

44
Hi Tina,

there is one thing that is more attractive than been called by name: it’s that someone remembers your birthday !

I keep record of the people I’ve worked with and I still care and have stored their birthday on my Palm handheld so it’s easy to remember. You can’t believe how astonished and pleasant surprised they are that I still remember their birthday. So please take note: my birthday is the 9th of february, but… wait !
That’s today ! :O

LOL
ciao
alexander
?y?c?

May 26 09, 3:29 am UTC

45
?????????? ????, ??????? ???. ?????????? ?????? – ????? ?? ???????????? :)
?????? ??????

Jun 01 09, 3:35 am UTC

46
???????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????… ?????? ????????????
Mi
Jun 15 09, 11:23 am UTC

47
teena! Nice article, extremely useful! It is said that the more successful a person is, the better they are at remembering names..

I will work on your techniques and see.. problem here (where I live) is that many people can carry the same name. kinda horrible :(
Michael Ostrovski

Nov 13 09, 1:07 pm UTC

48
Hi Tina,
Excellent article and one idea I’ve never heard before, e.g. the dancing letters. Many memory (mnemonic) experts tell us to visualize a substitute word for a person’s name (sound trick) and then somehow connect it to the person’s face. That’s fine for someone who wants to entertain an audience with their memory prowess but we’re after long-term retention. Your ideas are much better when applying them to long-term memory.
I also visualize a substitute word but instead of connecting it to a person’s face I try to totally immerse the entire person in the name. So someone named Sherry would be drinking sherry or a big bottle of cherry soda and offering me a glass of the stuff. I find it helps my long-term memory better.
For people having the same name I group them together in the same visual experience.
Inner Game

Jan 20 10, 2:29 pm UTC

49
It funny how you mentioned ‘trust yourself’… I used to run this story in my head that I was horrible at names and that I could never remember them. And it was a self fulfilling prophecy.

But I remember deciding one day that I wasn’t actually horrible and I was just making things up and that I was going to stop telling myself this.

I then actually started listening to peoples names, instead of just writing it off as something I could never do and lo-and-behold, I started remembering them… Who knew?

Thanks for your article
Leia
Feb 22 10, 6:15 pm UTC

50
I try to use rhyming, if I can come up with something. I used to get Shawn and Larry confused at work. One of them looked a little intimidating, so I thought that “Shawn” is like a fawn, and “larry” is scary. =) Silly, but I never got them confused after that.
George

Jun 01 10, 10:47 am UTC

51
Thanks Ti-, uh, thanks girl!
Howard
Aug 15 10, 8:29 am UTC

52
This was very helpful I loved the part about the story! Hahaha!

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7 Hacks to Remember Any Name

69 Comments

1. Trust Yourself

2. Seeing Faces

3. Using Sound Tricks

4. Hear the Sounds Repeated

5. See the Spelling Visually

6. Writing it Down

7. Keeping Records

69 Responses (52 Comments, 17 Trackbacks ):

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