In this article:

💡 What is it

Called ID, also known as CNAM (which stands for “Calling Name”), is the feature that shows you who is calling before you answer the phone. The default is to see the telephone number digits listed on the device receiving the phone call; however, letters and characters can also be shown. CNAM helps you know who is calling, not just what number is calling.

⚙️ How it works

1. When someone calls you, their phone number is sent with the call. 
2. The CNAM database looks up that number to see if it has a name attached to it (like “Pig Inc.” or “Portly Pig”). 
3. That name is then shown on your phone screen, that’s Caller ID.

📌 Things to Know

• Several CNAM databases/vendors are involved in the process of showing a CNAM on a call. The receiving carrier of the phone call relies on its specific CNMA database/vendor for this information.
  • A CNAM might not always display, even if it is set up in a database
• NumberBarn can submit a request to the underlying carrier of a local & Toll-free phone number to set an outbound caller ID (CNMA) to display as a personal or business ID.
  • Since the CNAM display is ultimately the responsibility of the receiving carrier, it can take up to 30 days for the update to "take effect" due to things like caching and propagation.
• Inbound caller ID is not currently supported by NumberBarn. However, you can choose how Inbound calls display on your forwarding device; see Incoming Call ID Overview 📖 & Configure Incoming Call ID 🛠️ for more details.

🗞️ Related Articles

• Outbound Caller ID (CNAM) Overview 📖 
• Request Outbound Caller ID (CNAM) Update 🛠️