An unfamiliar name deserves practice before it receives a substitute.

Substituting a nickname because someone’s name is unfamiliar puts your convenience above their identity. Names are learnable, generally in a few attempts, and the effort of learning one communicates more than most of what you will say afterwards.

Ask how it is said, say it back, and be willing to get it wrong once or twice while trying. Do not offer an easier alternative unless they raise it. It takes under a minute and it is one of the clearest available signals that you regard someone as worth a small effort.