Yes indeed, it is really a 3 step plan.
(1) Associate it immediately with something in your memory (i. e. John = bathroom and Connor (i. e. Kublaconn or conqueror).
(2) Repetition, repetition, repetition.
(3) Enrich the name with characteristics (i. e. John has a mental age of 18 even though his chronological age is 3 times that!) or (i. e. John is just a boy in a man's body because he still plays ice hockey for fun despite that he is a grandfather)...
What is truly interesting is our brain's primary method of remembering is indeed association. If I text the word, thunderbird you automatically "hang on" to the word by picturing in your mind either, a fighter jet (if you have an association/memory of that infamous Air Force squadron). Perhaps the Native American symbol at the top of totem poles (especially after the last Winter Olympics in B.C.). Perhaps the most popular/common one, is some version of the Ford car. Although my association is different, because in my past I was a member of the Thornhill Thunderbird hockey team for years.
If I was to mention a word or phrase that you had no association with it would in all probability go in one ear and out the other with no chance for memory...
