A content-name-resolution (CNR) system can resolve IP addresses for named data objects (NDOs) based on their name. During operation, a CNR server can receive a query from a client device for a source to a named data object. The query can include at least a name prefix for the named data object. The CNR server can identify a cache server that corresponds to the named data object's name prefix, and determines one or more sources associated with the named data object's name prefix. The CNR server then returns, to the client device, a query response that includes a network address for the cache server, and includes a content record specifying the one or more sources.