10 Simple Tricks to Remembering Names

Plenty of business deals (and romantic rendezvous) have been foiled because someone failed to recall the right name at the right time. There are tricks to remembering names. Benjamin Levy, author of Remember Every Name Every Time, advocates the FACE method: "focus, ask, comment and employ." Focus: Lock in on the person's face. Ask: Inquire which version he prefers ("Is it Ted or Theodore?"). Comment: Say something about the name and cross-reference it in your head ("My college roommate's name was Ted.") Employ: Put the name to use--"Nice seeing you, Ted"--to drive it home. Here are nine more tricks.

1. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
The most surefire strategy is to repeat the person's name--both in your head, and out loud--as soon as possible after you've been introduced. Occasionally use the person's name in conversation. "Pleasure to meet you, Bob," or "Bob, so good to see you." Don't overdo it, of course, but don't worry that Bob will recoil, either. He'd rather you remember his name than not.

2. Picture This

Turn someone's name into an image that you can remember. When you meet Shirley, think of a Shirley temple. Don't laugh--it works.

3. Spell It Out
Another imagery-based tactic: Ask someone to spell out his or her name. If you can picture the letters in your mind, you'll have a better chance of remembering the name. A derivation on that: Imagine the person's name written across his forehead, like a billboard.

4. Connect
Try to associate names with things people tell you about themselves (careers, hobbies) that will trigger the sound or association of the name in your mind. Fred likes to fish, Margarita runs a bar, you get the idea.

5. Word Play
Let the words do the work for you. Mnemonic devices (Dale works in sales) work nicely, as does alliteration (Jim from Jersey).

6. Lead the Way
If you know that your name will be hard to remember or pronounce, do other people a favor and help them out. They'll return the favor--or, if you're chatting with a Mike or a Bob, maybe they'll make some big production out of their own common name, making it stick in your mind.

7. Put Pen to Paper
It's not enough to write down a person's name as soon as possible after meeting them. Record the name in a "new contacts" file, and include when and where you met.

8. Speak Up
Embarrassing as it seems, don't be afraid to ask someone to repeat his or her name. Start out with a compliment, such as "I've had so much fun talking with you, and I've completely forgotten your name." If you realize you've blanked on a name a few seconds after introduction, just say "I'm sorry, I missed your name."

9. Prime the Pump
You spy a person, whose name you've forgotten, making her way toward you. What to do? If you're speaking with someone you know, introduce them right off the bat. The newcomer will probably introduce herself on her own. Problem solved.