# SSL CN

The Common Name - CN - identifies a [hostname](/glossary/h/hostname) associated with an [SSL](/glossary/s/ssl) server [certificate](/glossary/s/ssl_certificate).

The certificate is valid for a request only if the requested hostname matches the certificate common name.

For a single-name certificate, the common name is a single hostname (`example.com` or `www.example.com`).

For a wildcard certificate, the common name is a wildcard name (`*.example.com`).