Set the Caller ID Name People See
Most phones show a short business name next to your number when you call. This guide shows you where to set that name per phone number, the 15-character limit and other rules, why changes take time to appear, and how the name relates to the number an extension displays.
The name people see when you call
Alongside your number, most phones display a short business name. That is your outbound calling name, known in the industry as CNAM, and you set it per phone number.
It matters because a number with a recognisable name attached gets answered. A bare number often does not.
Set your caller ID name
- Log in to your Zonitel Office Portal.
- In the left sidebar, expand Settings and click Phone Numbers.
- Click Settings on the number you want, under the Actions column.
- In the SECTIONS list, click Caller ID.
- Make sure Display outbound calling name (LIDB) is on. When it is on, your calling name is released to the people you call. Turning it off asks the carrier to suppress it.
- Enter your Caller ID Name.
- Click Submit change.
Rules for the name
- Up to 15 characters. That is the industry limit, not a Zonitel one, and it includes spaces.
- Do not start with a space.
- Do not use the phone number itself as the name.
Fifteen characters is tight, so choose deliberately. Your trading name usually beats your legal name: people recognise the sign on your door, not what is on your incorporation paperwork. Shorten sensibly rather than truncating awkwardly — a clear abbreviation reads better than a name cut off mid-word.
Changes are not instant
Caller ID name updates are passed to the carriers, and carrier changes take a little while to take effect. Do not expect the new name to appear on the next call you make.
How quickly it shows also depends on the person receiving the call, since different networks refresh their records at different times. You may see the new name reach some people before others.
Label change history
The Caller ID section keeps a history of changes, showing when each change was made, the name change itself, its visibility, type, source and order. Useful when a name is not what you expected — you can see what was submitted and when.
Name and number work together
The name is set on the phone number. Which number an extension displays when it calls out is set on the extension. See How to Set an Extension's Outbound Caller ID.
FAQ
Q: Why does my old name still show?
A: Carrier updates take time, and different networks refresh at different rates.
Q: Can each number have its own name?
A: Yes. The name is set per phone number.
Q: What if my name is longer than 15 characters?
A: You have to shorten it. Pick an abbreviation people will still recognise.
Q: My calls show as Spam instead of my name.
A: That is a separate problem. See What to do if your calls are incorrectly labeled Spam or Scam.
Need help?
Call/Text/WhatsApp: (833) 966-4835
Email: info@zonitel.com