Changing your Google Voice name primarily involves adjusting settings related to your outgoing caller ID and how names are displayed for incoming calls. While Google Voice generally uses your phone number for outgoing caller ID, you can influence the name linked to your Google Account and customize how names are presented for calls you receive.
Understanding "Your Google Voice Name"
The phrase "your Google Voice name" can refer to a few different aspects within the service:
- Outgoing Caller ID Name: This is the name that might appear on the recipient's phone when you make a call through Google Voice. For most consumer Google Voice users, this is typically your Google Voice number, not a custom text name. However, the name associated with your Google Account can sometimes be displayed depending on the recipient's carrier and their phone's settings.
- Incoming Call Display Name: This refers to how caller names are presented to you when you receive a call through your Google Voice number, particularly through features like call screening.
Adjusting Your Outgoing Google Voice Caller ID
For outgoing calls, Google Voice primarily displays your phone number as the caller ID. If a name appears, it's usually derived from one of two sources:
- The recipient's saved contacts: If the person you're calling has your Google Voice number saved in their phone's contacts under a specific name, that's the name that will appear.
- Your Google Account Name: The name associated with your primary Google Account can sometimes be linked to your outgoing calls, especially if the recipient's phone carrier utilizes CNAM (Caller Name) lookup services that cross-reference numbers with registered names.
To influence the name associated with your Google Account, which might indirectly affect how your calls appear to some recipients, you can update your personal information:
- Go to your Google Account: Visit myaccount.google.com.
- Navigate to Personal info: In the left-hand menu, click on "Personal info."
- Update your Name: Under the "Basic info" section, click on "Name." You can then edit your first and last name.
- Save Changes: Be sure to save any changes you make.
Changes to your Google Account name typically reflect across all Google services, including Google Voice. However, it's important to note that this doesn't guarantee your custom name will always appear on outgoing caller ID, as it depends on the recipient's carrier and phone settings.
Customizing Incoming Call Name Display
To customize how names are displayed or announced when you receive a call through your Google Voice number, you can adjust your call settings. This feature is often related to Google Voice's call screening capabilities, which can announce the caller's name before you answer.
Here’s how to manage these settings:
Step-by-Step Guide for Incoming Call Display Settings
Follow these steps to access and manage preferences for how names are displayed when you receive calls through your Google Voice:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Log In | Sign in to your Google Voice account using the associated Gmail account. You can do this via voice.google.com or the Google Voice app. |
| 2. | Access Settings | Look for the "Settings" gear icon (⚙️) in the top right corner (on desktop) or navigate to "Settings" from the menu (in the app). |
| 3. | Go to Calls Tab | In the Settings menu, click on the "Calls" tab from the left-hand navigation. |
| 4. | Manage Call Display | Within the "Calls" section, locate options related to "Call Screening." Here, you can choose preferences, such as enabling or disabling the announcement of a caller's name when you pick up, allowing you to control which name is displayed or announced when receiving a call through your Google Voice. |
Enabling Call Screening (found under the "Calls" tab in settings) prompts Google Voice to ask callers to state their name. This name is then played to you, helping you identify who is calling before you answer. You can learn more about this feature on the Google Voice Call Screening support page.
Important Considerations
- Caller ID Name (CNAM) Databases: The information that appears on a recipient's caller ID (especially a text name) often comes from CNAM databases managed by phone carriers, not directly from Google Voice. Updates to these databases can take time and are not always directly controllable by individual Google Voice users.
- Recipient's Phone Settings: Ultimately, how your call appears can also depend on the recipient's phone model, their mobile carrier, and whether they have your number saved in their personal contacts.
