[ta1243]

In practice in the 80s you could do a name->address or name->phone lookup

You couldn't do a phone->name or address->name lookup

[devilbunny]

There were "reverse directories" for phone->name, though you didn't get one delivered to your house with your phone subscription. You could also call directory assistance.

[kbelder]

You could. Phone companies published reverse phone directories, with name and address listed by number.