I've encountered these fantastic name recognition skills a few times. It is clearly an impressive talent and it always impresses the hell out of me. Just last week on PR MNL-LAX the flight attendant upstairs in J went around WITHOUT the manifest in her current possession and greeted everyone by name and took drink orders as the passengers took their seats. At some point preboarding she had memorized everyones name and seat assignment.

EVA on and off has their FA's learn the names of Gold and Diamond card members, even in Y and they greet you by name on taking your seat.

Recall an elderly NW FA who was great at it. One Continental FA really awesome with names and of course Cathay Pacific First class FA's adressed me by name.