The function in genealogy software for Mac, Reunion 9 that “remembers” recently typed place names and surnames and “types” them for you upon further use is called speed names. This auto-population occurs in the edit person and edit family windows as well as in lists, when you begin typing a surname or place name. The characters you type are compared to the beginning of the names in the list (sorted alphabetically). The first name that begins with the same characters that have been typed are suggested. The suggested name can be accepted by pressing the enter (return) or tab key. One can press the down-arrow key to select the next name in the list as sorted alphabetically and the up-arrow to select the predecessor. This seemingly mundane speed names function is a convenience and source of efficiency.
The lists of surnames and place names lists are separate. Each can grow up to 2000 names in length. When a speed name is added to a list that already at the 2000 name maximum, Reunion 9 drops the oldest, least recently used name in that list to make room. The lists can be edited by hand in the speed names preference panel (as demonstrated in this video.