Neuroscientist Reveals Why You're So Bad At Remembering Names

We've all been there, you're having a nice conversation with someone you just met and suddenly you realize you've forgotten their name.

It's embarrassing, but the good news is there's actually an evolutionary reason behind it. Dr. Dean Buonomano, professor of neurobiology at UCLA, explains why people's names aren't easy to remember.

Following is a transcript of the video:

The human brain is the most complex device in the known universe. The brain also has many bugs, or limitations, or glitches.

We have trouble remembering certain types of information. So remembering long lists of numbers and remembering people's names are good examples.

So, human beings did not evolve to remember people's names. Indeed the act or the custom of giving each other names is probably relatively recent in evolutionary history.

The result of this is because of the architecture of the brain and how the brain stores memories. And because we're not very good at memorizing pieces of information that are not linked to other pieces of information.

We have a phenomenon called the Baker/Baker paradox.

If you're sitting on the plane with somebody and they told you they are a Baker and they go on to have a interesting conversation then you might later on remember that day and say, “Oh I had this interesting conversation with this gentleman that was a baker.”

On another trip maybe you're going to sit beside somebody and says “My name is John Baker and I'm an accountant.” You might remember that conversation but you're more likely to forget his name. So it's the same piece of information.

The word “baker” in the context of a profession or the word “Baker" in context of somebody's last name.

And studies show that indeed people are more likely to remember it in the context of the profession. One reason for that is because the brain has this associative architecture, we learn by making associations, by linking things that are observed or happen together.

And when you hear the word "baker" in the context of a profession, you naturally have context to embed that word in funny hats, bread, getting up early, whatever your experience is. Now when you hear a name, that's not the case.

Names tend to be more isolated, so it's because of the associative architecture of the brain that we have trouble memorizing names or long lists of random bits and pieces of information.

[toddmediumwellingtoniii]

I can remember faces, but never names if I don't really care for them or talk to them often.

[ChaseCrossing]

This is actually where last names are thought to originate!
You can see this phenomenon occurring once again in your contact list - where you list people's last names is tied to what they do, where they live, or where you met them instead of their last name which you likely forgot.
So John Baker's great great great great great grandfather was actually a baker.

[bonzolo]

I’m very studious at school and I feel like I absorb information quite well at school. Except names of people and places I’ll forget instantly and I’m terrible with languages and remember vocabulary in different languages

[jimseetsogt]

Thank you so much for the video. My name remembering was killing me lately. I recently started not remembering my fav actress's names. I only recall them after hearing the first letters.

[XAE_A_Xii]

we had an induction at the company head office, where there were about 15-20 people. Everyone had to say their name and then at the end, we played a game, where each of us had to recall as many names as possible. I recalled probably 4-5 names, it was quite an average, but there was a girl who recalled everyone names, and i bet you, no one knew that we would have to play this game.

[pickitup]

"Hey. It's Hannah Baker."

[adamciesielski]

That short clip has reassured me a bit.

I am VERY BAD in remembering people's names, even when I see them frequently. I remember their problems, achievements, stories (like holiday experiences, family problems), feelings experienced at some situations, but for God's sake I cannot recall their names. I remember even their phone numbers. It's embarrassing, as they easily recall my name. They stop me on the street or wherever by saying "Hi Adam!" - I recognize them, but cannot respond using their names. I just answer "Hi!".

There must be a way to bypass the "Baker Baker paradox", to somehow teach the brain to remember the names of my acquaintances. I put names into notebooks and I take pictures of newly acquainted people - all to no avail. It's a mishmash in my brain, because I cannot attach any name to any person (apart from family members or very close friends whom I had known for years).

So I am reassured (by your clip) that my dilemma is not an isolated one. But how to fix it? What to do to remember people's names? What is your solution?

[readmore]

I can build a house from the ground up by myself...but can't remember names well. There are people (salesmen) who remember names very well but can't hang a ceiling fan.

[boogitytron]

I have never been able to remember people’s names. When I was in jr high and high school at the end of the year we would sign year books. I would look through the book as if looking for a perfect spot to sign but I was actually looking for the name that showed up the most often. Years later I still have the same problem. I’ve always felt horrible about not being able to remember peoples names but it just doesn’t stick and I have no idea why.

[kris]

I'm so friggen bad at remembering first names. I'm glad I found this video to put me a lil at ease with the contextual reason. I looked it up beforehand on Google and legit the first article basically said "because you don't find names interesting..." and I felt like a douchebag 🤣 This was definitely a better way of putting it.

It genuinely bothers me so much how bad I am at remembering names. People I barely know always remember my name, but I can never for life of me remember their's, so I always have to end up saying "Hey!... youuu... : D". Makes me feel like an asshole. What's worse is that I just started working as a school teacher last year and have to remember 70+ student names as soon as possible. Hasn't worked out quite yet lol.

[MatthewJBD]

I don't seem to process names when people introduce themselves to me 😂

[isaiahhicks]

What's the name of this YouTube channel??? Plz let me know

[WaheedRafiq]

Finally I found the answer to my memory people names which I am know for to be worse at.

[fahriakalin]

Remind me to remember to watch this later.

[cameron]

I would have friends for a very long time but i would never say their names because either i cant fully remember their name or im too scared of getting it wrong. I would have to talk about that person alot or they would have to a name i easily remember but 7/10 i will simply not remember your name. I know maybe last names of people i went to elementary school with fully because i saw it every day on name plates but all my friends middle school and up i can maybe name 3 to 6 people whos name i confidently remember

[nihariyaps]

Aaah this happens with me everytime .even i dont remember names of my friends(not that close friends).😟i always ask their name a 100 times.but still forget .but i am pretty gud at remembering names in textbooks.i think the main reason behind not remembering names is that i dont realy care for that people but they are too close to me and sometimes not remembering there names makes me feel 😫😫😫😫

[flavioxy]

Why can I remember numbers but not names?

[Zauther]

I can remember everything better than others but names are my nemesis

[AboubakerAbrak]

It's pretty easy to remember someone else's name if they have the same as yours.

[pranjaldas]

i used to thought i am the only one who have trouble remembering names.