Best Practices for Naming People
Names are a key part of keeping your collection accurate and searchable. Whether you know exactly who someone is or are working from a hunch, using a consistent naming strategy helps keep everything organized and improves your results.
When You Know the Person’s Name
Use their full name when possible:
First, middle (if known), and last
Include maiden or alternate names if helpful
Examples:
Sarah Elizabeth Bennett
George W. Taylor (Sr.)
Mathilda Foreman née Fuhrmann
When You’re Not Sure
Use a general descriptor that helps you recognize them later:
“Unknown man in uniform”
“Woman at wedding with curls”
“Maybe Great-Grandma?”
These descriptors appear throughout the platform just like names — so make them memorable.
Keep It Searchable
Avoid overly vague names like:
“Guy 1”
“Old photo woman”
“? maybe”
These can pile up and become hard to tell apart. Instead, include a detail like clothing, pose, or context to help future-you (and others) recognize them.
Will Other People See My Names?
Yes — if a match is made across accounts, the person’s name or descriptor may appear to the other user. Naming profiles helps build trust and collaboration within the community.
🟢 Good names lead to better, faster matches — both for you and others.
🖼️ Screenshot Suggestion
Show:
Name field in use
Examples of well-named vs vague profiles
A match card showing the name a user gave their person