MIL called me the wrong name…

My mum has accidentally called me and my sister the other's name or the dogs name all our lives, so not always a sign of dementia! I swore I wouldn't do it but I mix up my own kids names even though they are 10 years apart and different sexes.

(This is a lighthearted comment, I'm not arguing with you. I agree if it's a new development you might be right. )

My MIL doesn't get my name wrong but she does constantly bad mouth other family and friends to us. As does FIL. We both hate it and it reminds us to never be anything but a robot in their company. If they happily do it to all the other family members we know full well they will do it about us when we leave...in fact we know they do from others. Me in particular because I have had the ordasity to say 'No' to some of their demands this year and if you don't do what they want your are awkward, difficult, stroppy, boring, have control issues etc ...
In short she doesn't sound very nice so I wouldn't worry much about what she thinks of you!

I constantly get people’s names wrong - call my DDs each other’s name, call my DGC each other’s name. I’m from a big family,ily and both my parents constantly said the wrong name when speaking to each of us.
YABVVU to be so dramatic about a wrong name TBH.

Is your name similar to Sarah's? Eg she's Sarah and you're Susan? If so, I think it's easier to make the mistake.

But if you're Veronica or something totally different, I would probably at least question why she keeps doing it too!

My mum mixes my and my siblings name up she always has, it is not intentional

I’m forever calling the children the wrong name, I know who I mean and then the wrong one pops out. I tend to avoid using names as even when I know the right one, the wrong one randomly burbles out.

Me and my sister get mixed up all the time, and we don't look the same! I'm just used to it.

My DMIL I think ever called me by my name. Looking back, and knowing how she progressed, I’d say it was one of the early signs of Dementia for her.

I call my own daughter by my sister's name quite regularly! My grandmother used to mix up the names of her two daughters and three grand daughers! I think this is just a proximity thing and you mustn't read anything ill intentioned into it.

My mother runs through everyone’s name before she gets to mine. I’ve started doing it too. It’s a thing. Don’t get het up over it.

I often call my son my daughter's name and my daughter my son's name. Two completely different names it's easy to do. Especially as we get older. My mum used to go through all four of our names before she got to the right one.

It wouldn't bother me as I wouldn't want the approval of someone that constantly bad mouths another family member like that. Running someone down is just a dishonest way of giving yourself praise. If she is openly bad mouthing one family member you can guarantee she is doing it to everyone behind their back.

If it makes you feel bad, imagine how Sarah must feel. She also might have a lot going on and hate being bad mouthed.
Your MIL sounds like a horrible woman.
Is Sarah also an in-law by any chance? Some women hate women coming into the family.

She was just talking about Sarah, so the name was front of mind for her.

i call my kids by the wrong name all the time. It doesn’t mean anything, just the brain not making the right connection.

My lovely aunt occasionally called me by her DiL's name (who she disliked), I would usually just pull her up and make a joke if it.

I think you are overthinking this. My MIL constantly goes through a million names it seems at times to get my DH's name (her own son) correct!
If she is older then I would just ignore.

Does Sarah know she is disliked by MIL and other members of the family?

My Mum goes through 16 names before she gets to mine.

I don't think your MIL is being malicious.

She sounds obsessed with Sarah, unless she has been significantly wronged by the woman I think that is her problem. Names mixed up - meh..

Oh God when my brother comes to stay I’ve often mixed up his and Ds’s names - in both directions. My grandmother was notorious for always calling her (several )sons in law and grandson by her own sons name

Yep, your post is a great example of female bullying and nastiness towards someone obviously feeling vulnerable.

Well done 👏🏻

I am sorry, op, but people get names wrong all the time and if your mother in law had been talking about Sarah, her name would have been on her mind. It doesn't mean she does not know who you are.

If it happens again just say, "I'm not Sarah, I'm 'ThatTwinklyPearlSloth '; she'll* *probably look at you blankly and say, "I know, oh what did I call you?". You won't be the only one, it's a common thing. Most of us have done it, some people are always doing it.

In your place I'd be very interested to meet this Sarah person. It's not nice to talk about her so freely, I would say something about that but that is another matter and up to you.

Either it is an accident, perhaps your name is similar or your haircolour or same height/build. It doesn't mean that you remind her of Sarah's personality.

Or it is deliberate and if so it is mil being horrible and a reflection on her not you.

Tbh I think there would be other signs she didnt like you if calling you Sarah is meant as an insult.

Mil called me by sil name once - we all laughed - sil is a nut !