diff --git a/src/systems/rendering/thoughts.js b/src/systems/rendering/thoughts.js
index 1ef272c..25d90bc 100644
--- a/src/systems/rendering/thoughts.js
+++ b/src/systems/rendering/thoughts.js
@@ -16,6 +16,34 @@ import {
 import { saveChatData } from '../../core/persistence.js';
 import { getSafeThumbnailUrl } from '../../utils/avatars.js';
 
+/**
+ * Fuzzy name matching that handles:
+ * - Exact matches: "Sabrina" === "Sabrina"
+ * - Parenthetical additions: "Sabrina" matches "Sabrina (Margrokha's Avatar)"
+ * - Title additions: "Sabrina" matches "Princess Sabrina"
+ * - Word boundaries: "Sabrina" won't match "Sabrina's Mother"
+ *
+ * @param {string} cardName - Name from the character card
+ * @param {string} aiName - Name generated by the AI
+ * @returns {boolean} True if names match
+ */
+function namesMatch(cardName, aiName) {
+    if (!cardName || !aiName) return false;
+
+    // 1. Exact match (fast path)
+    if (cardName.toLowerCase() === aiName.toLowerCase()) return true;
+
+    // 2. Strip parentheses and match
+    const stripParens = (s) => s.replace(/\s*\([^)]*\)/g, '').trim();
+    const cardCore = stripParens(cardName).toLowerCase();
+    const aiCore = stripParens(aiName).toLowerCase();
+    if (cardCore === aiCore) return true;
+
+    // 3. Check if card name appears as complete word in AI name
+    const wordBoundary = new RegExp(`\\b${cardCore}\\b`);
+    return wordBoundary.test(aiCore);
+}
+
 /**
  * Renders character thoughts (Present Characters) panel.
  * Displays character cards with avatars, relationship badges, and traits.
@@ -139,7 +167,7 @@ export function renderThoughts() {
             if (selected_group) {
                 const groupMembers = getGroupMembers(selected_group);
                 const matchingMember = groupMembers.find(member =>
-                    member && member.name && member.name.toLowerCase() === char.name.toLowerCase()
+                    member && member.name && namesMatch(member.name, char.name)
                 );
 
                 if (matchingMember && matchingMember.avatar && matchingMember.avatar !== 'none') {
@@ -153,7 +181,7 @@ export function renderThoughts() {
             // For regular chats or if not found in group, search all characters
             if (characterPortrait === FALLBACK_AVATAR_DATA_URI && characters && characters.length > 0) {
                 const matchingCharacter = characters.find(c =>
-                    c && c.name && c.name.toLowerCase() === char.name.toLowerCase()
+                    c && c.name && namesMatch(c.name, char.name)
                 );
 
                 if (matchingCharacter && matchingCharacter.avatar && matchingCharacter.avatar !== 'none') {
@@ -166,7 +194,7 @@ export function renderThoughts() {
 
             // If this is the current character in a 1-on-1 chat, use their portrait
             if (this_chid !== undefined && characters[this_chid] &&
-                characters[this_chid].name && characters[this_chid].name.toLowerCase() === char.name.toLowerCase()) {
+                characters[this_chid].name && namesMatch(characters[this_chid].name, char.name)) {
                 const thumbnailUrl = getSafeThumbnailUrl('avatar', characters[this_chid].avatar);
                 if (thumbnailUrl) {
                     characterPortrait = thumbnailUrl;