Data merge in illustrator: using the one list multiple times on a single art board.

I am wanting to make name place cards for a wedding and have two copies of the place card on a single art board so these will print efficiently.

I have done a data merge in word before but as my text is curved, I was hoping to do it in illustrator. Is is possible to use the one list multiple times on the same artboard but get the second place card to have the next name? In word you just add the phrase 'next record' at the beginning of your placeholder. Is there an equivalent option in illustrator? 

Worst case my work around will be to split the first names into two columns but I'd rather see if this was an option first.