1. Sounds Like
Think of an object or activity that their name sounds like. For example, if you meet a “Denise”, think of “tennis”. Now imagine Denise hitting a tennis ball with a tennis racquet repeatedly. Next time you see her, you will associate her with ‘tennis’ and will think of the name “Denise”
2. Repetition
Picture the person’s face in your mind and say their name 30 times in a row. Then have a break, think about something else and do it again. Repeat this process 3 times. Simple, yet effective.
3. Who’s Their Double?
Do you know someone else with the same name? If so, imagine the two of them doing something stupid together, like mud wrestling or playing chess. If you associate the new person with the familiar person, their name will come to mind whenever you see them.
4. First Letter
Concentrate on the first letter of their name. Once you have acknowledged their name to yourself, concentrate on remembering the first letter. Picture them and think of that letter. Letters often are recalled much more naturally and from that first letter, the rest of the name will flow.
5. Rhyme It
Think of a word that rhymes with their name and then use them together. For example “Fred lives in a shed”, or “Sally has a big belly”.
6. Sing It
Can you think of a song that features the name of this person? If so, sing it to yourself and picture the person as you do so. Rock out.
7. Spell It
Spell the person’s name either out loud or in your head. Do it a few times. Analyse the spelling and contemplate how else it might be spelt.
8. Uniqueness
This method isn’t fool proof but it can give you that little clue that is often all that is required for full memory of a name. Does the person have a big name or small name? A foreign name or a common name. An unusual one or boring one? Analyse a characteristic of the name in question and dwell on it for a while
9. Introductions
In your head, imagine introducing this person to a few different people. Imagine they have just won a Grammy and you are announcing them as the winner. Imagine they are your long lost cousin and you are introducing them to your friends.
10. Use It Straight Away
This only works if when you meet this person, you have the opportunity to speak with them straight away for long enough to at least hold a short conversation. Use their name when talking to them. “oh, that’s great Jim”… “so tell me Jim”… “nice to meet you Jim”.
