I’m looking for a word that describes a person who is unable to remember people’s names.
An example would be:
You can’t blame her though, she is a [forgetter of names].
In terms of a condition I found aphasia, which the OED defines as the «loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage» but this isn’t quite what I’m looking for.
Which word would be best suited?
asked Mar 15, 2015 at 9:08
4
«Face blindness» is the non-technical term.
«prosopagnosia» is the technical term.
(I’m not including a quote since Sacks tends to write in a rambling style and there’s not really one pithy quote to grab.)
Interestingly, people with face blindness also tend to have difficulty «navigating» — they easily get lost if they don’t have a map.
There are a number of web resources.
(FWIW, I have this disorder, apparently a «gift» from the polio I had at age 2.)
answered Mar 15, 2015 at 11:20
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There was a segment on today’s «Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,» where they mentioned a Scottish word «tortle» which meant precisely — to blank on someone’s name who you knew well. As in:
«I was introducing my boyfriend to my best friend, and I tortled my best friend!»
answered Feb 18, 2017 at 21:49
2
Anomia is the condition in which someone forgets the names of things, and I’m told by a neurologist that it happens to affect proper nouns more than other nouns.
answered Jul 13, 2018 at 14:16
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single-word-requests
Is there a concise term for forgetting names?
I’ve found definitions for pathologically forgetting words in general (e.g. Anomic aphasia), but nothing that directly defines forgetting names specifically in healthy individuals.
For example, a term to describe when one is introduced to a group of people and does not remember all of their names. Is there an alternative to ‘forgetting their names’?
This can relate either to short term memory (forgetting their names right away) or long term memory (once knowing someone’s name, but then forgetting it years later).
Related Topic
Is there a concise term for forgetting names?
I’ve found definitions for pathologically forgetting words in general (e.g. Anomic aphasia), but nothing that directly defines forgetting names specifically in healthy individuals.
For example, a term to describe when one is introduced to a group of people and does not remember all of their names. Is there an alternative to ‘forgetting their names’?
This can relate either to short term memory (forgetting their names right away) or long term memory (once knowing someone’s name, but then forgetting it years later).
Answer
There is a rare word you can consider: lethonomia. Though, it is used in psychiatry too and it can be part of nominal aphasia.
- A tendency to forget names.
- The inability to recall the right name.
http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/lethonomia
Etymology of the word: It is derived from letho-, compounding form of Greek λήθη (lḗthē, “a forgetting, forgetfulness”) (cognates: Latin latēre «to lie hidden») and Latin nōmina (nominative plural of nōmen), ‘names’.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Minnow , Answer Author : ermanen
level 1
I repeat a name back to someone, and later a few times to myself. I have found with age that I’m a better auditory learner than I thought, so hearing it helps it sink in.
And it’s really okay to say that you caught there last name too quickly, if they could be kind enough to repeat it. Only a jackass would look down on that.
level 1
I will send a text to myself of 1) name 2) where i met them 3) any spouse, partner, kids, dogs name 4) something interesting about the first time we met
…..when I can remember to do this 
For wording, it’s always awkward so just ask and apologize for forgetting. If they’re cool (and also have age-related memory problems, then it’s all good!
level 1
On the second point, I make sure to point out that while I certainly remember them, I can’t recall their name right now.
Something like — «I remember YOU, but I can’t recall your name right now.» Of course, modified for the context.
level 2
This is exactly what I do. I think the honest approach is best. I can usually remember the event, not the name, so I just say something like «of course we were both at such and such», or «right you live in such», or «we talked about this hobby», but I’m rubbish with names could you refresh me?
Of course I also suffer from face blindness. That’s a lethal combination in social situations.
level 1
Rhyme it with something in your head. Easiest way to do it. Hard part is remembering to rhyme it with something in the moment 😂
level 1
In germany we have the concept of «Eselsbrücke». Literally, bridge-for-a-donkey.
An «Eselsbrücke» doesn’t have to make sense, or be logical, it just has to work. For you.
E.g. your colleague’s name is Fred.
His hair is kinda frizzy (doesn’t matter if it really is, because now it is stuck in your head), so when you see him and his «frizzy» hair, you almost automatically get «Fr….ed»!