How do you remember peoples names?

Embarrassed to admit with difficulty. Some people’s names stick, of course, but I’ve always had trouble remembering those of new employees at the office or workmen who come to my house. And there’s a woman I’ve been taking my cleaning to for a year that I still have trouble calling by her first name, even after writing it down. I hope someone suggests a surefire method in this thread.

I’ve never successfully managed to do it, despite trying several methods. So instead, I just own up to it immediately. When I’m introduced to new people, I often say something like, “I’m terrible with names, so it’s likely I’ll have to ask your name again.” Said with a smile and in a friendly tone of voice, in hopes that they won’t take it personally.

I’m horrible with this. I remember faces, voices, clothing, mannerisms…etc, but names elude me.

Here are 10 tricks, from Forbes, on how to remember names.

I’ve heard of a few of the tricks listed in the link. My issue is that I’m usually so nervous and hyper-aware of everything else, that I forget to even try to remember the person’s name.

I’ve been going to a lot of “meet-ups” in my new life. People are always coming up to me and chatting as if they’ve met me and I can’t remember half of them. It helps to have a friend nearby to whom I can whisper “Who is that?”

Seriously though, I think the best thing to do can be to say, “I know I’ve met you before but I’m just having trouble learning everyone’s name here. Can you tell me yours again?”

I wish I knew. Not knowing someone’s name indicates they aren’t important to you and I don’t like giving that impression.

It is getting easier.

Mnemonic hooks, i.e. inventing little stories.