houseplant id

Hi, I have a houseplant that was given to me 8 years ago. It is growing well this year but was leaning over and needed support to stay upright-I decided to repot it and see if that would help and found out that there were almost no roots despite the fact that it grew a lot this summer. I am not sure what kind of plant it is and how to care for it. I don't think that few roots are normal.

I think you have a phalaenopsis orchid.  The leaves will be fairly thick.  The white striping on the leaves will add a "variegated" to the name.  

https://taylor.raack.info/2015/06/phalaenopsis-orchids-re-potting-growth-medium-roots-spikes-and-maintenance/

Check out the root pictures in this link to see if similar.  Many orchids are "epiphytes" that grow on other plants and thus don't generally need what we call soil.  Thus the roots will look different than most other plants; probably about pencil thick, twisty and with no hairy filaments.

If yours had flowers when you received it and they looked different, then just realize that humans have been breeding these for century for showiness and multiple colours, sizes and shapes to the blossoms.

Whatever you have it looks like it still loves you.  Enjoy.

I think you have one of the snake plants it doesn't look quite right though, but if it's not 100% happy that might be why. Are the leaves hard or soft and are they thick or thin?

Hi, The leaves are thick and hard/firm, I have had it for about 8 years and it has never flowered. It was a slow grower until this year when it has doubled its size. I did some more research and also think it is a snake plant of some sorts and I have been overwatering it.Snake plants like to dry out between waterings and need good draining soil so I will change its care and see what happens. Thanks for the help.

It does look like some sort of snake plant. They seem to thrive on neglect and be nigh indestructible, hence the common name "mother in laws tongue". Great air purifiers.
I bet once you reduce the watering and maybe adjust the soil mix, it will bounce back. I usually mix some sand in for mine. As for flowering, I have had my snake plant for something like 15 years now and only seen it flower twice. Very pretty. I suspect that being root bound may trigger flowering as both times, it was seriously overdue to be moved to a larger pot.
Hope you figure out how to make your plant friend happy again!