His friends' names when you meet them all at once

Your brain is doing too much at once. You're processing faces, reading body language, thinking about what to say, and judging whether you fit in with his circle. Cognitive load is maxed out. Names are abstract and easy to drop.

Also, you only hear each name once, for maybe two seconds. That's not enough repetition to move it to long-term memory. People in the group keep talking, and there's no reason for anyone to say those names again. So by the time you leave, you're left with vibes and faces but no names.

Ask him for the group setup. Who's going to be there, what's the vibe, maybe one thing about each person that sticks, what they do, an inside joke, anything. This primes your brain to expect those names. When someone introduces themselves, your brain is ready to receive.

When you shake hands or say hi, use their name immediately in your response. 'Oh hey Mike, good to meet you.' Say it out loud. That forces it into memory. Ask a question that gives them a reason to repeat or emphasize their name. 'So Mike, how do you know him from?' Names stick better when they're tied to context and repetition.

Text him something specific about one or two people. 'Your friend Sarah was hilarious when she talked about that camping trip.' This does two things. It proves you were actually listening and remembering details. It also gives him a chance to remind you of anyone you blanked on without it being awkward.

Don't wait a week to ask about his friends. That looks like you didn't care. Same day is best. It also keeps the social connection warm and shows you want to integrate into his life, not just meet people once and forget them.