Calling to the Torah By Name
Question
Is it an obligation to call people to the Torah by their full Hebrew name?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
The answer, for Ashkenazim at least, is yes. It is a requirement to call people to the Torah by name.
Interestingly, there was once an attempt to minimize or do away completely with the practice of calling people to the Torah by their Hebrew name. It was suggested to begin calling people to the Torah with phrases such as: "Arise the Kohen", "Arise the Levi", "Arise the one honoured with the fifth aliya" etc. When Rabbi Yehoshua Kutno heard about this proposal he said: "…This is a disaster and an embarrassment that the children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov are attempting to do away with the use of their holy Hebrew names … We cannot do away with this ancient and holy custom.” It is also noted that allowing one's Hebrew name to fall into disuse can cause halachic complications regarding family status issues, such as which name(s) to use in a "get" in order to ensure that it is valid, should the need arise.
There is an exception to calling people to the Torah by name and that is when the Torah portion of Bechukotai is read. Bechukotai contains the frightening “tochacha” – the Divine rebuke and warning of what will befall those who do not observe the Torah. The one who receives the Aliyah of the tochacha is not called up by name so as not to be formally associated with such an upsetting section of the Torah. He merely ascends on his own and recites the blessings, this aliya is given to the Ba'al Koreh.
There are a number of Sefardic communities in which calling people to the Torah by their Hebrew name along with their father's Hebrew name is not practiced, Rather they say "Shlishi Ya'amod Be'kavot..." There are a number of legitimate reasons for this custom and they are not to be criticized for it. As mentioned, however, Ashkenazim are not to deviate from this custom and a name must always be used when calling someone to the Torah.
Source
OC 428:6; Yeshuot Malko O.C. 12; Avnei Nezer C.M. 103; Chaim Sha’al 1:13