Caller ID
Also known as: CNAM, calling line identification
Caller ID is the information, number and often name (CNAM), transmitted to the recipient's phone to identify who is calling before they answer.
Caller ID is what appears on a phone when it rings: at minimum the calling number, and often a name pulled from the CNAM database. It shapes whether a call gets answered, which is why a local number that matches the recipient’s area often outperforms an unfamiliar one.
Caller ID is also central to the fight against spam: technologies like STIR/SHAKEN work by verifying that the number shown in caller ID has not been spoofed.
Frequently asked questions
What is CNAM?
CNAM (Caller ID Name) is the text name shown alongside an incoming number. It is looked up from a separate database rather than sent with the call, which is why the displayed name is sometimes wrong or missing.
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