# I have a problem with the Dominic O'Brien system for remembering numbers **URL:** \ **Category:** General Memory Chat\ **Tags:** dominic-system\ **Created:** [March 10, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907 "2025-03-10T21:19:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/87869e/32.png) [@Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Omidmeanshope)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/1 "2025-03-10T21:19:16Z")
Hi I am Omid a new member here. i just began reading the book perfect memory by Dominic O’Brien, and i have a problem with the remembering numbers chapter, my problem is that should i stick to his letters that are assigned to each number? because i just don’t know any person with the initials i mean like literally no one!! so can i like have my own letters instead. like 1 ) D Donald trump 2) J John wick etc… and then put them into action? ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/josh/32/21_2.png) [@Josh](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/2 "2025-03-10T21:23:37Z")
It’s okay to change the letter assignments. I think many people do that. There is an overview of some similar systems listed here too: [How to Memorize Numbers with a Memory Palace | Art of Memory](https://artofmemory.com/blog/memorize-numbers-memory-palace/) ---
**Author:** ![Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/87869e/32.png) [@Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Omidmeanshope)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 7:27am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/3 "2025-03-11T07:27:54Z")
thanks, in Dominic system you should assign an action to a person with the initials that the system introduced, but my problem is that i can’t relate them to any person that i know so i think i have to stick to the suggested list of people’s names he brought in his book. is it going to cause any problem for memorizing them? tnx in advance 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/thehumantim/32/17301_2.png) [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 10:11am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/4 "2025-03-11T10:11:13Z")
Some people have had good success using the Dominic system, but if it’s not really clicking for you, its ok to try some other techniques. Have you looked into the [Major System](https://artofmemory.com/blog/major-system/)? It offers much more flexibility in constructing entries than Dominic, you can [base your entire list on it](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/post-your-0-99-list-here-for-other-people-to-use-feel-free-to-add/28338/14) if you want, and it provides a foundation for expansion if you ever want to try a [larger system for numbers or playing cards.](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/tim-system-for-numbers-and-cards-guide-worksheet-and-discussion-thread/98949) With Major, you’re not limited to initials that may force you towards a person you have no connection with. This is a big weakness I’ve found with the Dominic system and one of the reasons I don’t usually recommend it. With Major you can use it to make simple first names and pick whoever you want with that name. ---
**Author:** ![Josh](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/josh/32/21_2.png) [@Josh](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Josh)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 10:29am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/5 "2025-03-11T10:29:04Z")
> [@Omidmeanshope](#): > > i can’t relate them to any person that i know I started with the Dominic System, but it wasn’t ideal for me, because I don’t like having too many people in my images. As another example, here’s the system that I use: [A 2-Digit Consonant-Vowel Number System (CV System)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/a-2-digit-consonant-vowel-number-system-cv-system/52492) It’s a combination of the Ben System, the Major System, and my own customizations. ## Examples The number 00 is pronounced “SO”. You can use any word that begins with that sound: sewing needle, sofa, soap. The number 36 is pronounced “MIH”. Example words: mist, mitt, Mini Mouse, mimosa, millipede, Mick Jagger. (Using people is okay, but not necessary.) ---
**Author:** ![Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/87869e/32.png) [@Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Omidmeanshope)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/6 "2025-03-11T10:37:49Z")
thank you you’ve been very helpful, I’ll certainly look into it ---
**Author:** ![Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/87869e/32.png) [@Omidmeanshope](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/Omidmeanshope)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/7 "2025-03-11T10:39:12Z")
thank you for sharing this valuable information I’ll look into it for sure 😊 ---
**Author:** ![RomeVsJudea](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/romevsjudea/32/28054_2.png) [@RomeVsJudea](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/RomeVsJudea)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 10:34am UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/i-have-a-problem-with-the-dominic-obrien-system-for-remembering-numbers/100907/8 "2025-12-15T10:34:34Z")
I use the Dominic System. Most of my names follow the letter–number designation perfectly, but not always. Sometimes I use names that work even if they do not follow the rules consistently. As they say, “perfect is the enemy of the good.” For example: For 19 (AN), I use AeNeas. For 02 (OB), I use OBi-wan kenobi. As you can see, I mix fact with fiction, though about 95% of the names are associated with real-life personages. For example: 22 (BB), I use Bugs Bunny So, if you cannot find names that you relate to, you may need to get a little creative with the name-letter designation or adopt fictional characters