How to remember many names?

How to take notes?

First, please accept that some people have a natural ability to recall names easily while others don’t. Your friend probably has the natural ability to do so. You and I don’t.

Some tips that may help:
* When a person gives their name, look them in the face and repeat it out loud. “It’s nice to meet you, Prasad.” It creates mental stimulation through verbal, visual and auditory conditions, making it easier to recall later.
* When I’m in a group where people are introducing themselves, I take notes. If it is something like a sales call, I made notes after the meeting and before going on to the next appt. If I waited until the end of the day, it would have been a mess.

There are all sorts of tips posted on web sites. It’s just a matter of finding the right method that works for you. And if all else fails, just ask. I have never been offended by someone doing so, even if we have met several times.

I usually associate the person with something they’re wearing or something they said. I find it much easier to recall something visual or a funny joke they said rather than the name itself. It doesn’t work for everyone but at least it’s something you can try :).

@Trillian Would you explain? My doubt, if I take notes (of say 50 people) then how come I to know who’s who? (Sometimes I meet a group of people, all at the same time)
@Pied_Pfeffer I will try your first tip. I have same doubt as above…how do you take notes and associate names with people?
@morningmomo That should work, I guess. I too find it easy to remember something visual [edited].

If involved with a large group meeting at once, hopefully no one will expect you to remember all of the names, despite the talented few that can pull this type of feat off.

In a meeting or classroom setting, it’s just a matter of taking notes when people are introducing themselves. What is it that they say or look like that will jog your memory when you run into them later? After the session, I review the notes while mentally picturing what that person looks like. Plus, nametags and/or name tents on the table in front of their seat should be required in any group function. I rely on them a lot.

@Pied_Pfeffer Thank you. Just to clarify, I face this difficulty in few situations. When I give presentations in front of top management representatives (of other organizations), directors, colleagues (it’s no problem with them), students in a class, etc.

Ah, in presentation settings, it can be easier depending upon the situation. Do the participants register in advance, or is it a “just show up” type of scenario? How long are the presentations? An hour? A day? A week?

Sometimes participants register in advance (but honestly I don’t go through the list or do not get any opportunity to do so), and sometimes it’s “just show up” type.

Sorry, I usually meet many of the audience after my presentation for some work or the other.

Normally, presentations are of 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour. Rarely, 2 hours.

It sounds as if you are putting unreasonable expectations upon yourself based upon the duration of the presentations and the size of the groups. When they interact with you after these presentations, just ask for the information that will be pertinent to you for the follow-up discussion.

Repeat their name when they say it – good to meet you Smith. Then again when you leave – see you later Smith.

This helps, but as others have said – some people are musical, some are not. Some are good at math, others recall names well.

I draw. If it is a big conference sit down I sketch the table and write names over the heads [this can be very crude]—I also happen to draw well, so if I have a few minutes I sketch what the person looks like and then add the name from the simple table drawing. People are interested in the drawings and sometimes I end up talking with them which adds to the memory,

sometimes adding little notes like ‘red hair, her daughter is also here in this meeting, he has a video business, thick tortoise shell glasses Buddy holly look, he does the cooking for his wife, brooks brothers, english looking etc”

It is upto the employer to know that people like your friend are on the rare side, and so maybe have the 60 -70 (that is a ridiculous number of people to be expeted to remember) people wear nametags? So I would suggest it to your boss. I’m sure he/she would want you to spend your brain cells on prodctivity rather than waste them stressing over remembering names.

First, thanks all! Second, sorry for I led the discussion away. Okay, here I will explain a little further.

Suppose, I deliver a presentation before 10 people whom I will meet afterwards. First time they tell their name and I don’t remember. When we meet later, perhaps individually, I ask their name again and somehow I don’t remember some names or forgot after awhile. Few times, I have asked people their name a couple of times and I still don’t remember. I feel embarrassed next time we meet and I cannot recall their name; so I don’t ask again. This way, I have acquaintances of more than 100 people (may be 200); but hardly 50 or so names I can recall.

I understand, I may not remember 60 or 70 names in first go, but what bothers me is when I ask the same person his or her name a couple of times and I cannot remember their name.

I know I am a slow learner. I don’t think I have some serious problem with my memory; I can recall some of the things quite vividly right from my childhood to this day. The problem is with remembering and associating names.

Read about memory – it’s fascinating. Remembering things from childhood – long-term memory. Remembering names – short-term. They are different. You should google techniques to improve memory. But first read a bit about memory to better understand it.

@zensky You said and I found this page. The first sentence itself indicates what I am after. Were it not for you, I wouldn’t have probably googled it. It just didn’t occur to me. Well, I should say thank you!

And, this page is what I can read first to learn something about memory.

Cool.