Remembering Names Techniques

One of the most common reasons why people become interested in improving their memory, is so that they will be better able to remember names and faces.

This is hardly surprising, since the amount of new people you will meet throughout your life will certainly require a good memory if you are going to remember all those names and faces.

Why Do People Find Remembering Names Difficult?

One of the reasons why people find names so difficult to remember, is because in most cases they have no connection to the face they belong to.

In olden days, remembering names used to be less of a problem, because people were named after their profession.

For example, if you were a baker you were called Mr. Baker, if you were a mason you were called Mr. Mason and if you were a blacksmith you were called Mr. Blacksmith.

As generations passed the family name became more and more removed from its original meaning, which then meant that people had to memorize different names and faces for an increasingly large number of people.

How To Improve Your Memory Of Names

The following tips and techniques should prove useful when you are trying to remember different names and faces.

Try to use as many of the following steps as you can, as the more you use, the easier you will find it to remember someone’s name.

Improve Your Memory Of Names By Preparing First

Whenever you are going to be in a situation in which you are meeting new people, it is very important that you enter that situation with positive expectations.

There is little use in trying to remember someone’s name if you start out with an expectation of failure.

Some people even tell the person that they have just met that they will probably forget their name later. This attitude will not help you to remember names, so avoid it at all costs.

Improve Your Memory Of Names By Looking Closely

Looking at a face closely is a very important part of being able to correctly remember a name, and then being able to associate it with a face.

Scan the face from top to bottom, and look for any special facial characteristics that person has. Being aware of such characteristics will also make it easier for you to differentiate between different faces and their names.

Improve Your Memory Of Names By Listening Carefully

Listen carefully when a person tells you their name. This may sound like an obvious suggestion, but you would be surprised at the number of people who seem distracted or lost in thought when a person tells them their name. Then they later wonder why they couldn’t remember it!

So really concentrate on the name you hear, as this will improve your memory of it.

Improve Your Memory Of Names With Repetition

Repetition is a very important memory aid, as it helps to solidify new information in the brain.

If someone tells you their name, repeat it back to them with a slight upward inflection as if you were asking them a question. This will also give you the chance to make sure you are pronouncing their name correctly.

If you have difficulties with pronunciation, you can also ask how to spell their name. Most often you will find that this is necessary with foreign names, and because you have spent more time learning that name, your chances of remembering it for the long term are excellent.

To further assist future recall of the name, ask the person what their name means or if there is any history behind it.

Some people may not know this, but if you find someone who does know the meaning of their name they will be more than happy to tell you.

Finally, repetition of names can be used during a conversation and when the conversation has ended. The more times you are able to use someone’s name the first time you meet them, the better your memory will be of it.

Improve Your Memory Of Names Through Reviews

Another important method for developing a good memory is reviewing what you have learnt. When remembering names this can occur in one of three ways.

1 - Mental

Mentally review the people you have met throughout the day, and try to place a name to each of their faces.

2 - Photographs

If you are ever at a party or an event where photographs have been taken, review those photos and try to remember peoples names.

3 - Memory Diary

Some people like to keep a memory diary where they note down important information they would like to remember.

You don’t have to have a complete diary, but it may help you to better remember things if you make a note of the characteristics a person has when you store information about them, such as in your personal organiser or address book.

Improve Your Memory Of Names By Taking Your Time

If you are always in a rush and unable to slow down, you are likely to find it very difficult to remember names because you are not giving your full attention.

Try to slow down when meeting someone for the first time, and spend enough time with them so that you can say at least one good thing about them.

Using Mnemonics To Remember Names

Use the following steps to help improve your memory of names with mnemonics.

• Get a clear mental image of the person’s name.

• Mentally hear that name in your head.

• Closely examine the face of the person you are looking at.

• Look for facial characteristics which are unique or unusual.

• Make a mental caricature of that face in your head. Exaggerate their unique or unusual characteristics and make your mental image as vivid as possible.

• Try to associate your caricature somehow to the mental image name you have just created. Could their name be linked to any part of their face?

Does Edward have bushy eyebrows? Does Lisa have luscious lips? Use your imagination and try to come up with something fun that you will easily remember.

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