No duplicates from range to an array

i have a range with names in. i.e
Set VALIDarea=Range"B3:C29,E3:F29,H3:I28,H3:I29"

what i need to do is store as an array all names i.e name$(1)=john
name$(2)=susan ....
But i need no duplicates. How do you count in vba all different entries in a
range.

Please help

Sunil