Paul Reiber, professor of psychology at Northwestern University in Illinois (USA), explains in Scientific American : "Not being able to remember someone's name is completely normal. It's due to the structure of our memory that we often recognize a person's face, and even recall certain details, such as the place and occasion when we last met that person, but the name remains a mystery. Read on to learn how effective memory training can be and how you can ultimately train your memory for names.

When names simply disappear

Names are the first to disappear with age. Why is it so hard to remember the names of people we don't see very often? The problem is that our brain thinks and remembers in context. It's easy for the brain to remember that we last saw someone on the football pitch, that they have a son the same age as our son, and that the son plays on the same team. But their name is completely arbitrary; they could be Fritz, Franz, or, with equal probability, Hans; the brain has no clues or connections here.

Names are the first to disappear with age. "As we age," Professor Reiber continues, "our memory deteriorates, and names are most likely among the first things we lose. There are some tricks to overcome this problem (see below), but you should always keep in mind: everyone has difficulty remembering names. So if you can't remember a name, you shouldn't be embarrassed, and if someone forgets yours, you shouldn't hold it against them." It's important to ask yourself what brain-training exercises I need to do to remember names better. Ira Hyman, professor of psychology at Western Washington University in Bellingham (USA), offers four tricks to train your memory for names in Psychology Today.

4 tips for a better name memory

1. Listen !

If you want to remember someone's name, you have to focus your attention on that person. Look at them closely, listen to them, and ask them questions. This is the basic requirement, which, unfortunately, I don't always follow. The name then flies by in my mind, never having a chance to stick in my memory. In this case, the only thing that helps is to ask for the name again and this time focus your attention.

2. Repeat the name several times!

When I get to know someone, I use their name as often as possible during the conversation. For example, I don't simply say, "Where do you live?", but rather, "Where do you live, Mrs. Peters?" or "Mrs. Peters, have you…" Even in a short conversation, you can subtly incorporate the other person's name several times, making it easier for your brain to memorize it.

3. Link the name with concise characteristics!

As mentioned above, the brain remembers concrete images better than abstract names. When talking to the person you want to remember, try to identify some striking and easily memorable characteristics and mentally link them to the name. This could be their profession, hobbies, interests, unchanging physical features, anything that immediately catches your eye. But don't forget to mentally connect the name with it: "Mr. Müller has a big nose." Otherwise, all you'll remember later is: "That was the guy with the big nose, what was his name again?" Simple brain-training exercises like these are the best way to train your memory for names.

4. Cheat!

As a fourth tip, Professor Hyman reveals what he calls his "most important secret": "Write down names," he advises. If I want to remember someone's name, I jot down the name and key facts after the conversation. If I later go somewhere where I might meet that person again, I read my conversation notes beforehand. "Written material is a wonderful memory aid, especially if you read it again shortly before you need it," says Professor Hyman.

And if all these tips for improving your name memory don't help, politely ask for their name again. Most people respect this and interpret it as a genuine interest in them.