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The Summon Greater Demon spell is especially effective when the summoned demon's true name is known:

At the end of each of the demon’s turns, it makes a Charisma saving throw. The demon has disadvantage on this saving throw if you say its true name.

However, the spell description doesn't say that it is possible to request a specific demon for which the true name is known:

You utter foul words, summoning one demon from the chaos of the Abyss. You choose the demon’s type, which must be one of challenge rating 5 or lower, such as a shadow demon or a barlgura.

Is it possible to request a demon for which the true name is known?

Guillaume F.
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1 Answers1

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No

You've answered your own question:

the spell description doesn't say that it is possible to request a specific demon for which the true name is known

If it were possible, it would be specified in the spell. The spell, however, only specifies that:

You choose the demon’s type...

If you could summon a specific demon, this would be explained in the spell's description. Since it isn't listed as a possibility in the spell's description, it's outside of what the spell can do.

Lovell
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  • The MM (pg. 53) hints that summoning a specific demon might be possible: "A mortal who learns a demon’s true name can use powerful summoning magic to call the demon from the Abyss and exercise some measure of control over it." – Guillaume F. Apr 19 '21 at 20:48
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    @GuillaumeF. The gate spell can summon a specific named demon. – Marq Apr 19 '21 at 21:13