How do I get email addresses to show up as John Doe rather than Doe John?

When I start to enter a new address in the To: field I begin by typing the first name. This usually brings up suggestions from my address book in the First Name/ Last Name format. When I click on the name I want it appears in the Last Name/First Name format in the address filed. I would like for it to remain in or appear in the First Name/Last Name format. How do I accomplish this. I have an old Mac Air runnint OS Lion. Thanks.