Remember My Name You know the name but somehow you just don't remember it

March 3, 2025

Learn how to remember a name with ease or when you’ve forgotten, how to find out causing no offence.

As we grow older, it can be increasingly frustrating when we can’t remember a name. We know that we should remember but it just fails to pop up or we’ve said someone’s name and somehow it just doesn’t sound right. You’ve been calling someone Mark and they are a Mike and they don’t feel comfortable correcting you. Nothing wrong with saying “I’m really sorry, Mark just doesn’t sound right, please put me right”.

There are ways to improve your name memory, and it starts when we are first introduced to someone. I’ll admit I am hopeless at taking in someone’s name probably because I’m not fully concentrating and more likely thinking what I’m going to say. So, first rule is focus and repeat the name to yourself or visualise it written down.

However, when I’ve forgotten to do that, here are some tips to help you.

What to Do When You Forget a Name

1. Admit It Casually

• If it’s early in the conversation, say:
  “I’m so sorry, I’m blanking on your name—remind me?”

• If it’s later in the conversation, try:
  “I ‘ve had a brain freeze and your name slipped my mind. Could you remind me?”

2. Use Indirect Tricks

• Introduce Someone Else:
  “This is my friend Alex.” (Often, the person will introduce themselves.)

• Guess Creatively:
  “How do you spell your name again?” (Works if it’s a tricky name but risky if it’s something simple like “Sam.”)

3. Practice & Reinforce

• Mentally review names of people you’ve recently met before seeing them again.

• Use memory games such as going through letters of the alphabet which will often trigger a name or apps like Anki for practice.

4. When all Else Fails

If you’re stuck, try:

• “I remember our conversation, but I’m so sorry—your name slipped my mind.”

If you think you might remember, ask for confirmation:

• “Your name is on the tip of my tongue—is it Alex?”

How to Improve Name Recall for the Future

• Repeat & Use the Name: Say it a few times in conversation.

• Make Associations: Link it to something visual, a rhyme, or someone famous. (e.g., “Mark likes to park”). I had difficulty remembering someone called Stuart, I was always calling him Steven, so I associated Stuart with Little – Stuart Little movie about a mouse, so when I see him, I think “mouse”

• Write It Down: Jot names in your phone notes or in a journal.

• Be Present: Focus on the person when they introduce themselves—don’t just think about what you’ll say next. Repeat the name right away: “Nice to meet you, Sarah”

If you have any particular methods for remembering names or anything else, do please tell us and I’m sure it will be appreciated by others.

Read our post How to Improve Your Memory