Misspelling someone's name in an email is a common yet avoidable mistake that can create a negative impression, particularly in professional settings. Despite spell-check tools, current email platforms don’t flag name misspellings—even when the correct spelling is available in the recipient's email address or signature. This issue is especially problematic when contacting new or culturally diverse individuals, where names may be unfamiliar.

How It Could Work

One approach to solving this would be integrating a name-checking feature into email platforms like Gmail. Here's how it might function:

• Name Extraction: The system could parse the recipient’s email address (e.g., "john.doe@example.com" → "John Doe") and scan their email signature for their name to determine the correct spelling.
• Real-Time Detection: As the sender types the name in the email body or subject line, potential misspellings (e.g., "Jon" instead of "John") could be flagged with a visual cue, like a red underline.
• Pre-Send Check: Before sending, the system could perform a final scan and alert the user if a likely misspelling is detected, similar to Gmail’s attachment reminder.

Potential Benefits and Implementation

This feature would be particularly useful for professionals who frequently email new contacts (e.g., recruiters or salespeople) or individuals with uncommon names. For email providers, it could enhance user experience and loyalty.

An MVP might start as a browser extension for Gmail, focusing on basic name extraction and misspelling detection. Later phases could involve deeper integration with email platforms or expanding to other contexts, like verifying job titles or company names.

While challenges like ambiguous name spellings or privacy concerns would need addressing, the idea offers a targeted solution to a common pain point in professional communication.