Why is it so hard to remember people’s names?

May 27, 2026 4 min

About this episode

Ever met someone… and forgotten their name almost instantly? Awkward, right, especially after chatting for a few minutes. But if that happens to you a lot, you’re definitely not alone. One reason is that first names don’t really mean anything on their own. They don’t tell you what someone looks like, what they do, or what they’re like. And our brains are much better at remembering information when it’s tied to something concrete. So, why does this happen? So why do we remember some names but not others? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is the Fermi paradox?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What’s the Tinder Paradox ?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could vanlife be a lifestyle choice for you?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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