The affection that can be inherent in calling someone by their first-name is powerfully demonstrated in a testimony of a talmod of the Maharil (Rabbeinu Yaakov Halevi zt’l), on whom most of Minhug Ashkenaz is based. At the end of the Sefer Maharil there is a section called Likutim. The first item in this section reads “Whenever the Maharil mentioned his wife to others he would not refer to her by name.” Apparently, the Maharil refrained from mentioning his wife by name because, in his great sensitivity for tznius and kedusha, he felt that if he spoke of her by name he would be displaying part of his affection for her, and it was unfitting. This underscores the endearment that can result from using a first-name basis.
