I used to get frustrated at not being able to remember names. After many trials and failures, I stumbled upon a remarkably easy mnemonic (for me).
Due to generations, geographies, culture, etc there really aren't that many different names (especially when only pronunciation matters).
I eventually found that, when meeting someone, I would immediately think of the name and face of someone I already knew with that name. Even if it was a girl from a class in middle school, the number of previous names or the passing of time doesn't seem to matter. If I can apply the new face to a face and name I already know there's a high likelihood I'll remember the new face/name association forever (just like we can all remember the name of some random kid from second grade, somehow). It's as simple as saying to myself:
"This is Shannon, like Shannon from middle school and Shannon from that gym you used to go to."
Then the next time I see the "new" person I'll often immediately recall:
"Oh, hey! That's Shannon. Like Shannon from middle school and Shannon from that gym you used to go to."
It really seems to scale almost infinitely and to this day I can go almost anywhere I've been before and remember the names of people I may have "met" once years ago.
If it's a new name the process is slightly more complicated. Many times I'll try to think of a place, town, business, item, pretty much anything and that generally works. I've also found that it happens so rarely simply remarking "WOW, that's actually a new one" is enough to give me a pretty good chance.
The reactions are really interesting but I keep doing this and using this method because the results are almost always positive for all parties. In many cases (especially in the service industry) you can see their face and demeanor change instantly when you've demonstrated you made some effort to remember their name.
Due to generations, geographies, culture, etc there really aren't that many different names (especially when only pronunciation matters).
I eventually found that, when meeting someone, I would immediately think of the name and face of someone I already knew with that name. Even if it was a girl from a class in middle school, the number of previous names or the passing of time doesn't seem to matter. If I can apply the new face to a face and name I already know there's a high likelihood I'll remember the new face/name association forever (just like we can all remember the name of some random kid from second grade, somehow). It's as simple as saying to myself:
"This is Shannon, like Shannon from middle school and Shannon from that gym you used to go to."
Then the next time I see the "new" person I'll often immediately recall:
"Oh, hey! That's Shannon. Like Shannon from middle school and Shannon from that gym you used to go to."
It really seems to scale almost infinitely and to this day I can go almost anywhere I've been before and remember the names of people I may have "met" once years ago.
If it's a new name the process is slightly more complicated. Many times I'll try to think of a place, town, business, item, pretty much anything and that generally works. I've also found that it happens so rarely simply remarking "WOW, that's actually a new one" is enough to give me a pretty good chance.
The reactions are really interesting but I keep doing this and using this method because the results are almost always positive for all parties. In many cases (especially in the service industry) you can see their face and demeanor change instantly when you've demonstrated you made some effort to remember their name.
Reminds me of the "What's That Name?" SNL skit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ7OJdDSXVo