The Agonising Art of Forgetting Names: A Survival Guide

Some people have a superhuman ability to remember names. They meet you once at a networking event, and three years later, they greet you with a warm, “Hey, AJ! How’s your dog, Merlin?” Meanwhile, you’re standing there in a cold sweat, frantically searching the dark corners of your brain for anything—anything—about this person beyond vague familiarity. You know the face… your really do, but the name just won’t come.

For me, names are my personal kryptonite. I can remember the entire backstory of a Breaking Bad character, the exact coffee order of a friend I haven’t seen since 2016, and why that one scene in a random TV show perfectly represents late-stage capitalism—but a human name? Gone. Evaporated. Erased from my brain as quickly as an email about “exciting new workplace policies.”

If you, too, suffer from this affliction, fear not! This article is both a mourning of our useless brains and a strategic survival guide to dodging, deflecting, and (on rare occasions) actually remembering names.

1. The Sudden Realisation of Doom

The worst moment isn’t when you forget someone’s name—it’s when you realise you’ve forgotten their name.

This often happens mid-conversation, right after they greet you enthusiastically by name, with a tone that suggests you should 100% know theirs too. This is panic territory. You now have seconds to react, and your options are:

1. Fake confidence. (“Heeeyy… you!”)
2. Stall for time. (“Wow, it’s been ages! What’s new?”)
3. Create a diversion. (“LOOK! A DISTRACTED PIGEON!”)
4. Accept your fate. (Smile, nod, pray they bring up their own name.)

Unfortunately, none of these guarantee success. If you’re unlucky, the conversation escalates into an even worse scenario: introductions.

2. The Hell That is Introducing People Without Names

The moment you’re in a group and need to introduce someone whose name you’ve forgotten is a true test of character.

Tactic 1: The Fake-Out Introduction

You introduce the person you do remember and hope the mystery guest fills in their own name.

“Oh, you two should meet! This is Sarah, and… well, I’ll let you introduce yourself!”
This sometimes works, but only if they’re not also a name-forgetter. Otherwise, you end up standing in awkward silence, both waiting for the other person to speak.

Tactic 2: The Vague Gesture

You sort of gesture toward them, hoping they say something first.

“And this is… uh, an absolute legend, by the way.”
Congratulations, you have now created a social situation so awkward it might be studied by anthropologists in the future.

Tactic 3: The Sudden Overuse of “Mate” or “Dude”

If you’re British, “mate” will save you 70% of the time.

“Oh yeah, me and this legend go way back, don’t we, mate?”
Other variations include:

• “Champ!” (A terrible choice unless you’re a 1950s boxing coach.)
• “Boss!” (If you work in sales, this might actually get you promoted.)
• “Big guy/little guy!” (Use with caution unless you want to get punched.)

3. The Worst Case Scenario: Being Called Out

Sometimes, people realise you don’t remember their name and—worst of all—call you out on it.

Them: “You don’t remember my name, do you?”
Me: I would rather fall into a volcano than answer this question honestly.

At this moment, you have two choices:

1. Admit defeat. (“I am so sorry, my brain is made of soup.”)
2. Deflect with unnecessary enthusiasm. (“Oh my god, of COURSE I do! It’s… you!”)

Some people will kindly reintroduce themselves. Others will let you suffer for dramatic effect. You deserve this.

4. Strategies for Long-Term Name Avoidance

If you consistently forget names, you need systems in place to avoid total social catastrophe. Here are some elite-level avoidance tactics:

The “Saved by Social Media” Strategy

Before meeting someone, do a stealth check on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Scroll until their name lodges itself into your brain. Caution: If you go too deep, you risk accidentally mentioning their holiday from 2014, exposing yourself as a certified stalker.

The “Nickname Everything” Approach

You assign people vague but memorable nicknames in your head:

• Beard Guy (self-explanatory).
• Talks Too Much Steve (not even sure if he’s a Steve).
• Mysterious Hat Woman (the hat is now more important than her name).

The problem? If they change their look, you’re screwed.

The “Let Someone Else Go First” Trick

If you’re in a conversation and someone new joins, pray that introductions happen naturally before you have to say their name. If that doesn’t happen, you are trapped.

“Hey… you! Have you met… my friend here?” (Prays they introduce themselves to each other.)

5. The Tragic Reality: You Actually Can Remember Names, But Only Too Late

The final insult? Your brain does remember their name… just 20 minutes after they’ve left the conversation.

You’ll be walking home, sitting at your desk, or in the shower when suddenly—BOOM!

“Oh my god. It was JASON.”

Too late. Jason is gone. He probably already thinks you hate him. The damage is done.

Embrace the Chaos

At some point, you have to accept that you’re bad with names and lean into it. Own it. Make it part of your brand.

Next time someone says, “Do you remember my name?” just confidently reply:

“Listen, I barely remember my own name some days, so let’s just reintroduce ourselves like it’s the first time. Clean slate.”

They’ll either appreciate the honesty—or back away slowly, assuming you have amnesia.

Either way, problem solved.

Final Thought: A Radical Solution

What if we all just agreed to wear name tags, all the time?

• No more awkward moments.
• No more name-based shame.
• Just a society where everyone is labelled like they’re at a work conference, forever.

Until that glorious day, may your stalling techniques be strong, your fake confidence unshakable, and your vague “mate” usage convincing.