What's a good way to remember people's names right after meeting them?

The best way to remember a name is to move it from your short-term memory into your long-term memory immediately. Here are a few simple, effective techniques:

• Say it aloud: As soon as you hear their name, repeat it back in the conversation. For example, "It’s nice to meet you, Sarah." Hearing yourself say it helps lock it into your memory.
• Use it again: Try to use their name one or two more times during the first few minutes of the conversation. This reinforces the association.
• Create a mental association: Link their name to something specific. You could connect it to someone else you know with that same name, a celebrity, or even a visual cue—like noticing the person has bright blue eyes and associating that with a "Blue" Sarah.
• Focus intently: We often forget names because we are too busy thinking about what we’re going to say next. When they tell you their name, take a breath, look them in the eye, and make a conscious effort to "file" the name away.
• Write it down: If you are in a professional setting and it’s appropriate, excuse yourself briefly after meeting them to type their name into your phone, perhaps adding a quick note about where you met or a detail about them.

If you do forget, don't be afraid to be honest. A polite, "I'm so sorry, I want to make sure I have your name right—could you remind me?" is almost always well-received.