Who these days doesn't hold the shares in street name? Anyone who uses a broker most likely has their shares held in street name.
The company knows who these people are, as the brokers have listings of all shareholders. As I understand it, these lists are routinely provided to the company. They are used to mail out certain shareholder information, like voting ballots for officer elections, etc. Although most of these type requests are usually handled by the broker, the list of shareholders does exist, and the company has access to that list.
...and on the 7th day, God turned off his Macintosh.