CNAM (Caller Name) is the caller ID name associated with a phone number. When you receive a call, your phone displays the CNAM retrieved from carrier databases. CNAM is limited to 15 characters due to legacy protocol constraints.
How CNAM Works
When a call is placed, the terminating carrier looks up the calling number in its CNAM database and displays the associated name to the recipient.
CNAM Characteristics
- 15-character limit — Names are truncated
- Carrier-dependent — Quality varies by carrier
- User-updateable — Some carriers allow CNAM changes
CNAM Use Cases
- Identity verification — Compare against provided name
- CRM enrichment — Fill in missing contact names
- Fraud detection — Flag mismatched names