diff --git a/frontend/src/components/list/MessageList.tsx b/frontend/src/components/list/MessageList.tsx
index 0bd6233..cc094fe 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/list/MessageList.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/list/MessageList.tsx
@@ -119,9 +119,13 @@ export function MessageList({
           const selected = selectedId === thread.id;
           const checked = checkedIds.has(thread.id);
           const dimmed = dimmedIds?.has(thread.id) ?? false;
+          // `participants` is from + to + cc, newest message first — so the first
+          // entry is the sender and the rest are recipients (usually just you).
+          // The list shows the sender only.
           const primary = thread.participants[0];
-          const names =
-            thread.participants.map((p) => p.name || p.email).join(",  ") || "(no one)";
+          const names = primary ? primary.name || primary.email : "(no one)";
+          // The badge still counts everyone involved — the name is narrowed, the
+          // "how many people are in this" signal is not.
           const extra = Math.max(0, thread.participants.length - 1);
           const avatarBg = `hsl(${hue(primary?.email || primary?.name || "?")} 45% 45%)`;
           const stop = (fn: () => void) => (e: React.MouseEvent) => {