How did Saruman know who Gimli was ?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by PrinceOfTheHalflings

What I'm saying is - he probably knew of more people than we think! Remember, he was interested in the One Ring ... Bilbo found the Ring and Gloin was one of his companions... it's not inconceivable that Saruman knew something of this, given his interest.

I do think it likely that Saruman knew Gandalf had a plan to eliminate Smaug, but I doubt he knew the details. If he'd been aware Gandalf was leading thirteen Dwarves and a Hobbit to the Lonely Mountain to destroy a dragon, his likely conclusion would have been that old Olórin had finally gone off the deep end.
Saruman probably didn't pay too much attention to Thorin and Company at that time, since he was occupied with getting Sauron out of Dol Guldur. I wouldn't think the names of the Dwarves involved would have been something he would have taken the trouble to learn.