How to remember names: 7 practical techniques
The introduction goes well, then the name vanishes. Try seven techniques with examples of what to say, which details to save and how to practise for next time.
Read the guideFree on iPhone and Android
Less blanking.
More connecting.
Save the people you meet. Practise their names and find a useful reminder before the next conversation.
See how it works
Your names, photos and notes stay on your device. No account. No ads.
Keep your contacts privateTRY A NAME
Nurse · Scutari
Add the people you meet in the app.
How it works
Remember names in three steps.
Step 01
Save a person and a clue
Add a name, a photo if you have one, and a detail worth remembering.
Step 02
Try the name before you check
Look at the face, recall the name, then reveal it and rate how it went.
Step 03
Come back for a short practice
Hard names return sooner. You can also refresh a group before you meet again.
Private by design
Keep your contacts private.
Your contacts stay on your phone. You choose who to add to Namefinity.
- Want to import contacts? Give permission, then choose who to add. Importing happens entirely on your phone and never uploads or changes your address book.
- Names, photos, notes and practice history are stored on your device. No account. No ads.
- Photo cropping and screenshot text recognition run on your phone. Face detection finds faces without identifying people.
- You choose when to export a text copy or share your own QR card. Your QR card never includes your saved people.
Namefinity's anonymous usage statistics can be switched off in the app. Google may receive basic diagnostics from the on-device processing components, without the photos, text or results they process. Read the privacy policy.
Bring in the people you want to learn.
Photos & group photos
Choose the faces, then add or check their names.
Screenshots of a directory
Check the extracted names and photos before saving.
Contacts or a name you type
Start with the details you already have.
Find someone from a detail you remember.
Search your saved names, companies and notes with a clue from your conversation.
When a name won't come backSEARCH YOUR PEOPLE
Search by a detail you remember
Scutari
Florence Nightingale
Nurse · Scutari
Practical guides
Simple ways to remember people's names.
How many names can a person remember? What studies show
One memory athlete recalled names for 96 faces. See how the study worked, what it leaves unanswered and how to set a useful target for your next group.
Read the guide
Spaced repetition made simple
A name can look familiar and still vanish later. Learn when to practise, why testing yourself helps and how to organise a simple Leitner box.
Read the guideQuestions about Namefinity
Which languages does Namefinity support?
English, Simplified Chinese (简体中文) and Traditional Chinese (繁體中文). Open You → Language to choose one or follow your device language. This changes the interface; your saved names and notes stay as you entered them. Screenshot text recognition has its own language setting.
How to change the app languageIs it really free?
Yes. Namefinity is free on iPhone and Android, with no ads and no subscription.
Do I have to give access to my contacts?
No. You can add names using photos, screenshots, QR cards or manual entry. If you choose contact import and grant permission, the app reads contacts on your phone so you can select who to add. Importing happens entirely on your phone and never changes your address book.
Read the privacy policyDo my photos or notes get uploaded anywhere?
Your saved names, photos, notes and practice history are stored on your device. Photo cropping and screenshot text recognition happen on your device. You choose whether to export data or share your own QR card. Your operating system may also back up app data according to your device settings.
Read the privacy policyDoes the app send usage statistics?
Namefinity sends anonymous feature counts without your names, photos, notes or contact details. You can switch these off under You → Anonymous stats. Google may receive basic technical diagnostics from the on-device text and face detection components, without the images, text or results they process.
Does it identify people automatically?
No. On-device face detection helps crop photos. It does not identify the people in them or create a searchable faceprint.
How much time does it take?
Start with a short session you can finish. How long it takes depends on how many names you add and choose to practise.
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition means reviewing a name several times, with more time between each review. For example, you might practise it today, two days later, and then a week later.
How spaced repetition worksWhat if I struggle with names?
You can practise names in small groups and save useful details beside them. If a name slips, search your saved notes for a reminder.
Why names slip awayIs there an Android version?
Yes. Namefinity is available on Google Play for Android. Use the Google Play buttons on this page to download it.
Remember them next time.
Namefinity is free on iPhone and Android.