On column B names copy this formula
=countif($a1:$a9999,a1)
and fill it down column B

Or
Use a pivot table to show the count of names

"james" wrote in message
...
Is there a way to count the frequency of cell contents?

Example:
A B
1Smith Joe
2Smith Mary
3Jones Fred
4Smith Joe
5Jones Fred

I want this:
Smith Joe 2
Smith Mary 1
Jones Fred 2

Thanks for any advise.