If there’s context (eg I go to another department at work, or see my child’s friend with their parent) I can get their name easier. But that barrier for being out of context can be difficult to surmount.
I’m curious if you also find yourself having trouble to remembering other names when in conversation (eg what was that politician called, what’s that city name, it begins with an F…)
Usually it’s proper nouns that I have trouble recalling. It’s almost like I need an Anki to refresh my mental DRAM and keep things recallable.
When I was a kid I did a round of testing for ADHD, and one of the tests is category fluency. Basically they gave me a category (e.g. Breakfast foods) and told me to say as many words in that category as I could in 60 seconds. I failed miserably; the administrator told me it was essentially as bad as people with severe cognitive deficiency. I just haven't worked about it since then! (Except with names!!)
Facial recognition, with name, where I know you from, and last time I saw you.
Basically I want the same notes my dental hygenist or optometrist uses to make light conversation with me during a checkup.