Is there any way to connect the list of names selected to... followers, viewers, and/or subscribers on twitch? Or add them from a list of Patreon/kofi supporters? or anywhere else for that matter?

There is certainly a way, but I don't know it. I can do anything on the mod side for that, but you'd need to connect it with twitch and I have no idea how that would work. I would ask muppet who's another modder who's done twitch integration if they have any know-how perhaps. Maybe I'll get around to doing it myself sometime, too, but don't count on it soon.

Just in case I do end up doing it, what sort of actions would you want? Adding subscribers/followers/chatters names? Custom messages?

That would probably be the best set up for it. I'm pretty sure there's a way to just download at least some of these lists from patreon or some of the other places I mentioned. Now that I'm thinking about it, actually integrating it with any of these platforms wouldn't be the minimum viable version of what I'm thinking.

Is there a way to just add a fresh list of names and descriptions from... idk, a csv file or something? If that's possible then actually integrating it with twitch or patreon to automatically pull stuff would be a way to automate the manual process.

Like if I were a streamer and I sent a form to all of my followers to include custom names and/or backstories, I'm sure they'd get a kick from seeing them pop up in factorio's chat area while I played.

Something that would be easy/very possible would be a command to add someone to the list. I could even assign a weight so they're more likely, since there are like 200 names now and it would be unlikely for them to find themselves if they were added just once. Would that work? Or do you want something more along the lines of importing a file from somewhere?

In the meantime, you can also unzip the mod folder and go to control.lua with a text editor. That has a list of names at the top and the format should be pretty easy to figure out. You can even add a name multiple times to make it more likely. Just keep in mind this won't update the list for old saves unless you also increase the version number in info.json, since it the game won't realize the list is changed otherwise. And then you'll get out of sync with the actual version numbers, which is why this is just temporary :)

I would think the best case scenario would be to replace the existing list of names and descriptions with a new one.

Here's what I'm thinking as options:

1. You will have to leave the mod unzipped. There is a list in the control.lua file as I mentioned with the names. I can add a command to reload the names, but you will still have to exit and reload the game to reload the file when you change it. However, you don't have to do any other shenanigans. This will allow you to completely customize the list as you want, but multiplayer won't work right due to having a custom mod by editing the control.json.
2. Alternatively, there can be a command that interfaces with the list of names. You can be able to clear it, add, and remove names. This will be a per-map list, so if you start a new map, you'll need to redo it again. I can, however, add a mod setting where you can input some text with all the names (which you would keep in a text file somewhere) so that it syncs across maps, but you would need to restart the game for this startup list to get updated.

These two options are what I can think I can do within the realm of the factorio modding interface. Anything else would probably require custom configuration outside factorio that even if I did figure out an build, you'd have to set it up other than just downloading a mod. (Mods can't import .txt files whenever for example). Also, I have the spoons for only so much so please only choose one option.

Please let me know which you'd like.

Also, do you want to be added to the list of names? More is always better :)

Having to exit and reload factorio every time the list is updated is fine.

Only being able to update the list when I start a new map wouldn't work.

With those in mind I think the better option would be option 1. If we are playing multiplayer wouldn't we be able to just exchange the mod folder manually between players instead of relying on the in game mod sync option?

You could exchange the individual mod, but every time you want to change it you'd have to redistribute it. I'll get started on option 1 then, give me a nudge if I don't get back to this soon.

Okay, turns out I didn't need a command. To change the names, unzip the file in your mods folder and navigate to names.lua. Should be self explanatory from there. You will need to do ctrl + alt + left click from the load menu and reload the map to get the names to update. If you are playing multiplayer, you must resend the updated mod each time you make a change. Other than that it should work all good!