Filter table from <select> input using jQuery

Answer 1

This will work assuming you only have one select and one table that is stuctured like your example

$(document).ready(function($) {
    var rows = $('table tr').each(function() {
        var row = $(this);
        var columns = row.children('td');

        row.data('name-chars', [
            columns.eq(0).html()[0].toUpperCase(),
            columns.eq(1).html()[0].toUpperCase(),
        ]);
    });

    $('select').change(function() {
        var char = $(this).val().toUpperCase();

        rows.each(function() {
            var row = $(this);
            var chars_to_match = row.data('name-chars');
            if($.inArray(char, chars_to_match) > -1) {
                row.show();
            }
            else {
                row.hide();
            }
        });
    });
});