Well, though I am not sure how to answer your question, I have had similar experiences...

I have had dreams about people that exist. In the real world, I scarcely know their names, but in the dreamworld, I am thourally aquainted with them. I don't understand what importance my mind attaches to these people, but almost every week I dream about one of the two people that this happens with. This has been going on with both people for at least two years. I guess I could refer to them as "lucid friends"....I don't see any reason why not...