'Dives' means 'rich man' and Lazarus means 'he whom God helps'... so these are not really specific names, but titles Jesus uses.
The story is generally believed to be a parable, since the sequence of events after death, if taken literally, contradicts the rest of scripture. Lazarus is shown to have immediately received the promise of eternal life, dying and going straight to 'Abraham's bosom'. Yet the author of Hebrews clearly tells us that Abraham, as well as all the other Old Testament saints, have not yet received the promises given to them by God.
HEBREWS 11:13 All these [Abraham, Noah, Abel, etc.] died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. . . . 39 And all these [including Abraham], having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. (NASB)
So, Abraham is sleeping, awaiting the resurrection which will occur when Christ returns. Lazarus in this story has died, before the crucifiction, and therefore cannot yet be saved and have inherited eternal life.
In the passage here, Jesus tells 5 stories, of which the other 4 are parables (the lost coin, the lost sheep, the prodigal son, and the shrewd manager). It seems odd that He would throw in a true story without making a distinction....
