5 Tips for Remembering Names

There’s the approach. Then the smile of recognition. The beginning of a friendly greeting. Then…a blank. For budding business relationships, there’s nothing quite like that awkward feeling that accompanies a moment of forgetfulness. Remembering people’s names is something that sets relationships on the right path and sets you apart from the crowd. Hone your craft with the help of these five tips for remembering names.

1. Change your perspective.

You never know what a new relationship can lead to. Treat each meeting like it could be the beginning of something great. Approach each new interaction with the mindset that it might have an impact on your future. Remember that the conversation you are having and the person you are meeting are important—and that this relationship could turn out to be more significant than you know. With this attitude as your starting point, you will naturally place a higher priority on remembering people’s names.

2. Tune out distractions.

When meeting new people, remembering names can come down to one simple act: really listening. It may sound obvious, but in the busy reality of our lives, giving our full attention might not always be so easy. When you’re meeting someone, cast aside other tasks and focus on the interaction that’s right in front of you. Instead of thinking about the next thing you’re going to say, focus on the person’s name as they’re saying it to you. If you happen to miss it the first time around, don’t fake it. Instead, show them the importance of your conversation by apologizing and asking to hear it again.

3. Use it, or lose it.

A simple tip for remembering names is using it immediately in conversation. Perhaps the easiest way to accomplish this is to repeat it back to them right away, saying something like, “Nice to meet you, Gail.” Another possible tactic is to ask them which form of their name they prefer. Asking if it’s Dave or David builds in another ordinary repetition of their name to help you remember. After this, using their name naturally—that is, occasionally—in the rest of your conversation will help to make it stick in your mind even more. Just be careful not to overdo it, or you could begin to sound robotic.

4. Make a connection.

For some, associating a name with another concept is a helpful strategy for remembering people’s names. This can take many forms, and it’s entirely up to you to choose which way works best. It can be as simple associating their name with a particular detail they reveal about themselves, like a hobby or interest. You can also come up with a rhyme or a piece of alliteration to help you remember.

5. Make a note.

After meeting someone, a very effective way to remember their name is to write it down. Whenever possible, write it down by hand, rather than on your phone or computer. Research shows that the act writing things down helps nurture comprehension and retention. What’s more, by jotting down a person’s name and any important details from your meeting you can refer back to these notes in the future to help make the most of your new relationship.

Remembering people’s names isn’t rocket science. In most cases, it just comes down to good habits. To make any new behavior a habit, you must decide that it’s important enough to you and your professional future to do the work it will take to make that behavior a regular part of your routine. While remembering names can sometimes seem insignificant, it could easily give you that edge over a competitor when fighting for a big project, interviewing for a job, or attempting to earn a client’s business.

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