CNAM is a caller ID registry that can help you display your business or custom name to clients. Here is an overview of CNAM setup and how it works.
User Level:
Admin
Before you start
CNAM registration is available only for CloudTalk-provided US local numbers that support caller ID name display.
Toll-free, mobile, and international numbers are not eligible for CNAM registration.
To confirm if your number qualifies, contact our Numbers team at [email protected] before submitting your request.
What is CNAM
Many phones are able to display text in addition to the calling number, known as the caller ID Name (CNAM).
CNAM is capable of displaying your business name or another custom text (which needs to correlate to your business) associated with your phone number to your clients during outbound calls. CNAM consists of a 15-character string.
We currently only support CNAM in the USA.
What is the CNAM Database in the USA?
The CNAM (Calling Name) database is a national registry used in the United States to display the caller’s name alongside their phone number on Caller ID systems.
While the phone number is transmitted during a call, the caller's name is not directly sent. Instead, the receiving telecom provider queries the CNAM database to retrieve and display the associated name.
How Does the CNAM Database Work?
Outgoing Call: When a call is made, the caller's phone number is sent through the network.
CNAM Lookup: The receiving carrier performs a CNAM dip (a database query) to find the name linked to the incoming number.
Caller ID Display: The caller’s name (up to 15 characters) is displayed on the recipient’s phone if available.
What is Caller Name Presentation (CNP)?
This is just the other name for CNAM in Canada. Please note that CNP in Canada is not supported for all numbers.
How to set your company name in USA CNAM database
Please contact our numbering support team [email protected] for more information on how to register your numbers on your business, and send this required information
Legal Business Name
Physical Address
Business Type
LLC/LTD, Sole Proprietor, Corporation, Non-Profit
Company Status (Private/Public)
Stock Ticker & Exchange (if Public)
Business Registration Number & Type
must be the EIN for all US-based companies
other business identifiers for non-US companies
Industry
Official Website
Regions of Operations
Company Representative
our vendor may contact them to verify their connection to the company
For the fastest verification, this should be someone with a publicly verifiable connection to the company such as a LinkedIn, company website, state or country business register
First and Last Name
Email
Title
Phone Number
Job Position (Director/VP/GM/General Counsel/CEO/CFO)
We can use this same information to register your calls for STIR/SHAKEN Verified Calling.
This registers your numbers with USA operators' call verification protocol, which can help prevent spam labelling and call filtering
Processing time
CNAM updates in the national database usually take up to 7 business days to propagate across all US carriers.
However, please note that not all carriers refresh their data simultaneously, so your name may appear gradually for different networks.
⚠️ Limitations of CNAM:
CloudTalk offers CNAM database registration to our customers free of charge. Delivery is on a best effort basis due to its functional limitations.
Inconsistent Delivery:
CNAM was developed around landlines networks and has limited support on mobile networks.
Both you and the person you’re calling need support CNAM display, leading to generic labels like "WIRELESS CALLER" or "UNKNOWN."
No Direct Caller Control: Callers can’t directly edit their CNAM entry — it must be managed through their service provider.
Not supported on all number types: USA Toll-Free numbers cannot be uploaded into the CNAM database
CNAM vs Branded Calling
If you're looking for a more modern caller ID solution, here's how CNAM compares to Branded Calling (sometimes referred to as Verified Calling):
Feature | CNAM | Branded Calling |
Technology | Legacy system built around landlines | Modern system designed for mobile networks |
How it works | Receiving carriers perform a database lookup (“CNAM dip”) | Caller name and brand info sent directly between carriers |
Display reliability | Limited and inconsistent | Verified display on supported devices |
Setup time | Free registration, but updates take up to 7 business days | Instant display once configured |
Cost | Free to upload a name | Paid per call, depending on carrier |
Best for | Basic business name display on U.S. landlines | Verified branding and higher answer rates on mobile calls |
If you need further assistance or have any questions, you can always contact our Support Team. We are always here to help you!