So, What's in a Name? Well, obviously a lot judging by how often people mess up even relatively simple ones! My name (Lola Audu) has only eight letters, but I've encountered countless variations in pronunciation, enunciation and spelling. It's not unusual to have someone rename me Lolo or Lulu or Ola. And the last name...well, I've taken to helping people out. "It's like the car," I say..."you know, the Audi, except with a U.
And then, there's the singing. There must be something about the name Lola which makes songwriters wax poetic. People hear my name and start to sing...Lola..Lo, Lo, Lo...Lola or Barry Manilows' show girl song, Her Name was Lola"...Well, I guess there are far worse fates that a name could have, so I'm not complaining.
But, I've always been a stickler for names. I hate to forget a name. It feels like I've forgotten an important part of who someone is when this happens. Fortunately, it's relatively rare and I'm often pleased when names shoot back into my memory bank of people who I've lost contact with.
Perhaps because of my earlier experiences with a somewhat unusual name, I take care in acknowledging other peoples names. I've learned never to assume I know how to spell a name. Even a simple name like Ann, can have many variations...Anne, Ahn, or Ahne. You never know these days.
I think that people appreciate it when you respect their name and make a genuine attempt to pronounce it properly. I continue to be amazed at how we are able to wrap our tongues around celebrity monikers like Schwarzenegger, yet exhibit great difficulty with some names which are infinitely more simple, but less famous.
As our culture becomes increasingly diverse, the variety of names will also increase. So, will the challenge of remembering them all. A name identifies who you are and how you are remembered. Here are a few suggestions I've used over the years to help me remember names.
Repeat a person's name when they introduce themselves; ask them if you pronounced it correctly.
Use an individuals' name when talking to them, it helps to reinforce it in your memory bank
Listen and try to learn something interesting or new about the person you are talking with...an association with an event helps to create a better association with a person's name.
Write down an unusual name correctly AND phonetically with cues to assist in pronunciation
Associate transactions with client names rather than only addresses
Keep in touch on a regular basis...you tend to remember those who your write to or talk with
Have, I ever blanked out when I've met someone I should know. Of course I have. And when it happens, I've learned to simply acknolwedge that I should know them, but I've forgotten their name. Usually this only has to happen once! However, it's infinitely better than going through a conversation hoping they don't figure out that you don't have a clue who you're talking to!
Here's a Video of one of my favorite "Lola" songs. Enjoy!
I continue to be amazed at how we are able to wrap our tongues around celebrity's' monikers like Schwarzenegger, yet exhibit great difficulty with some name which are infinitely more simple, but less famous - Amen to that sister. Oh! Don't forget one Osama Bin Laden too. Lola is a nigerian name. But I don't know if you have nigerian relatives yourself. My parents are from Nigeria though I was born and raised in Washington,DC.
My name Lanre -think of An dre but put a L in front of an and take away the d-That's how my name is pronouced. But of course,everybody is comedian. They want to say lonray,lai,the woman's sexy clothing ( That's all I am going to say ). But I enjoy reading this post. And how did you put this youtube thing on your page. I have problems copying and pasting stuff like this onto my Active Rain page. Can you please give me a short tutorial or some advice? Great post.
Lulo, er lolu....Anywho........I'm horrible with remembering names. This is a good post. I hate forgetting names. Anwway....I am almost "savant" with phone numbers. The name thing is hard. Thanks for the great advice.
Lanre, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. It's so nice to have a visit from a fellow Nigerian! I can really relate to the verbal gymnastics which are sometimes associated with helping people to understand how to pronounce your name. :)
With reference to the Youtube video...simply go to your blog edit section. You will note 2 tabs at the top on the border which also allows you to bold, italicize and add pictures. Click on the HTML tab. Make sure you have saved whatever you need to in the WYSIWYG mode first. Then copy and paste the embedded text from the Youtube video, save it and it should appear on your blog. You can find the embedded text on the sidebar of most Youtube videos. Hope this helps.
As a Lane... I can't count the number of faulty variations I've been tagged with. I don't get offended. It isn't worth it. Occasionally, I just let it slide... I'll be Lance, Wayne, Lee or Zane for the moment...
Like Larry, numbers are always easier for me to remember. As someone who has a rather long and complicated name, I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to learn it, and say it correctly.
Hi Lane...I cane see Wayne,(it rhymes a little) but people calling you Lee, or Lance? It is kind of funny actually. Thanks for stopping by to read and leave a comment.
Lola - Like you I simply say I must know them but can't remember their name. At least I don't have to stay awake at night trying to remember them! I almost never forget a face, but names. I really have been trying to work on that lately. I really liked this post! Have a great weekend, Lola
Hi Linda, Thanks for stopping by. It is a little embarrassing to admit that I don't remember, but it's infinitely more uncomfortable to go through a conversation trying to fake it. Although, I have yielded to that temptation too...:)
Hi Lola - I've pretty much learned to answer to anything that starts with an "M". I will wait for an opportune moment to take the person aside and let them know that my name is Marlene. I'm not offended if they at least get close. At least they're making an effort and not just calling me hon.
Lola, your name seems simple to me and easy to remember. I have trouble with my last name...Moorhead. It seems to be spelled "incorrectly" because people always want to put the "e" in between the "moor" and "head". That makes it a challenge to find my website for RE. I need to buy the typos and send traffic to the correct spelling.
Oh my. I just had a recent incident with this (I'm horrible at remember names, but oddly will remember a phone number or address associated with the person.) Now I simply apologize, extend my hand to shake theirs and say "Please forgive me, I am horrible at remembering names" and most if not all will smile and excuse me for my flaw and repeat their name.
Lola, you have a beautiful name! My youngest sister has gone through life with the name Bairbre, which is Gaelic for Barbara. Now in her 40's, she is just staring to get over being annoyed at the countless people who misspell or mispronounce it. Cute post1
A hot 'Lola' tune by Gotan Project is 'Whatever Lola Wants', Sarah Vaughn vocals - as a tango afficionado it is a favorite to dance to.
Name's are important to get right - my difficulty has been in accurately hearing dialects and often have to get people to repeat amd sometimes repeat again! I sometimes get them to spell, easier that way!
Hi Karen, Thanks for stopping by. I have heard that suggestion...buying the typos of one's name for search engine positioning purposes. Google will often give alternative spelling suggestions too.
Hi Patricia, I can imagine how your sister would get a lot of misunderstanding of the pronunciation of her name. It's a beautiful & unusual name. That makes me more interested in understanding the heritage and its meaning.
Hi Deborah...Thanks for the title. Believe it or not, I was trying to remember it last night & didn't. That's the third song that people sing to me a lot. :)
Lola, some very useful tips. It's odd you are posting about this. My broker recently scheduled someone to come to our office and work on memory techniques.
Hi Ray, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. Remembering names seems to be a challenge that many of us face from time to time. Your seminar sounds like it will be interesting.
Hi Lola. Thank you very much. I really appreciate that. I am going to do just that and I am hoping that it works. I've seen a couple of things on youtube that I want to put on my website and active rain page. Great post.
Lola, I have to confess I would relate your name to the song too :) But I LOVE Barry Manilow and recently saw him in concert...and it's a good way to remember someone's name! I try to remember people's names and while I always remember my clients, I find it difficult in groups when you're introduced to many people at a time...It's a talent to remember them all---and I don't have it!
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So, What's in a Name? Well, obviously a lot judging by how often people mess up even relatively simple ones! My name (Lola Audu) has only eight letters, but I've encountered countless variations in pronunciation, enunciation and spelling. It's not unusual to have someone rename me Lolo or Lulu or Ola. And the last name...well, I've taken to helping people out. "It's like the car," I say..."you know, the Audi, except with a U. 
I continue to be amazed at how we are able to wrap our tongues around celebrity's' monikers like Schwarzenegger, yet exhibit great difficulty with some name which are infinitely more simple, but less famous - Amen to that sister. Oh! Don't forget one Osama Bin Laden too. Lola is a nigerian name. But I don't know if you have nigerian relatives yourself. My parents are from Nigeria though I was born and raised in Washington,DC.
My name Lanre -think of An dre but put a L in front of an and take away the d-That's how my name is pronouced. But of course,everybody is comedian. They want to say lonray,lai,the woman's sexy clothing ( That's all I am going to say ). But I enjoy reading this post. And how did you put this youtube thing on your page. I have problems copying and pasting stuff like this onto my Active Rain page. Can you please give me a short tutorial or some advice? Great post.