Air carrier flight crew reported a runway incursion which resulted from a call sign misunderstanding...

Attributes
ACN	1750656
Time
Date	202007
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway

Narrative:

While preparing to depart runway xxr out of ZZZ; [on] flight abcd; [we] experienced an inadvertent miscommunication with tower control. Being the only aircraft holding short of xxr; our crew misheard the call sign as tower cleared for takeoff the only departing traffic on xxr. In this miscommunication; flight abcd repeated the instruction 'flight abcd; cleared for takeoff; runway xxr'. No contrary command was then given by tower. While aligned on the runway and preparing to depart; tower requested a radio check; followed by instructions to hold short of xxr. Our crew responded in kind; notifying tower that we were on the runway. At this time we also queried if tower would like us to exit the runway. Tower then cleared us for takeoff with no further issue before handing us off to departure. Miscommunication was likely due to both our misunderstanding the initial call sign and tower control operating numerous frequencies with multiple departing runways. Extra vigilance on our part in verifying all call signs/instructions. Awareness of ATC threats through reduced staffing and managing multiple frequencies.we understand the breakdown in communication that occurred and the need for vigilance in clarifying any future instructions or questions.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported a runway incursion which resulted from a call sign misunderstanding. A contributing factor was that the Tower Controller was managing multiple frequencies and runways.

Narrative: While preparing to depart Runway XXR out of ZZZ; [on] Flight ABCD; [we] experienced an inadvertent miscommunication with Tower Control. Being the only aircraft holding short of XXR; our crew misheard the call sign as Tower cleared for takeoff the only departing traffic on XXR. In this miscommunication; Flight ABCD repeated the instruction 'Flight ABCD; cleared for takeoff; Runway XXR'. No contrary command was then given by Tower. While aligned on the runway and preparing to depart; Tower requested a radio check; followed by instructions to hold short of XXR. Our crew responded in kind; notifying Tower that we were on the runway. At this time we also queried if Tower would like us to exit the runway. Tower then cleared us for takeoff with no further issue before handing us off to Departure. Miscommunication was likely due to both our misunderstanding the initial call sign and Tower Control operating numerous frequencies with multiple departing runways. Extra vigilance on our part in verifying ALL call signs/instructions. Awareness of ATC threats through reduced staffing and managing multiple frequencies.We understand the breakdown in communication that occurred and the need for vigilance in clarifying any future instructions or questions.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Air carrier flight crew reported a runway incursion which resulted from a call sign misunderstanding. A contributing factor was that the tower controller was managing multiple frequencies and runways.