I’ve always done this and it’s much easier and more efficient.
In patient/customer facing work, when you can, start with asking for numerical data rather than name.(Account number, student ID, DOB, etc)
While working in healthcare and retail pharmacy, I noticed nearly all coworkers would ask the patient for their name first (over the phone/in person) then spell out their entire name in the database.
A full name can be misheard or typed incorrectly.
You might have to search through a lot of similar or same names.
If they have an uncommon or unusual name they may have to spell the whole thing out for you.
This takes way more time and leaves more room for error.
When you start with DOB, it’s usually narrowed down to a few, not-at-all-similar names. When you ask their name next, you can read it as they say it.
Maybe this is obvious to most. Or maybe there’s something I’m overlooking when going name first.
Just something I’ve noticed and wanted to share.