CNAM (Caller Name Delivery)
Short answer: CNAM (caller ID name) is the name displayed alongside an incoming phone number, mainly in the US and Canada. The name is not sent with the call; the recipient's carrier looks it up in a CNAM database using the calling number and shows up to 15 characters.
Because CNAM is a lookup performed by the receiving carrier, whether and how a name appears depends on that carrier and the database record.
How it works
The owner of a number registers a display name with a CNAM database provider. When a call arrives, the terminating carrier queries a database with the calling number and displays the result, often with a fee per lookup. Outside North America, name display is less common and works differently.
How it applies to ZuteSIP
CNAM registration is not listed as part of the ZuteSIP service. ZuteSIP numbers present the phone number itself as caller ID, and in the web dialer you can choose which of your numbers is shown.
Related terms
- Caller ID
- STIR/SHAKEN
- Local number
Frequently asked questions
Is CNAM the same as caller ID?
Caller ID is the number; CNAM is the optional name looked up for that number.
Can I set a CNAM name on a ZuteSIP number?
CNAM is not a listed ZuteSIP feature.
Why does a caller name show incorrectly?
The receiving carrier may use an outdated or different CNAM database.
Related pages
- caller ID
- STIR/SHAKEN
- local numbers
- US phone number from abroad
- Canada phone number from abroad
- US numbers
- G.711 Codec (PCMU and PCMA)
Sources
- FCC: Caller ID and Spoofing (as of September 2026)