Williams uses naming, one way of defining self or others, as an important method of characterization, best illustrated with the novel’s most fully developed characters, Dessa and Ruth. Dessa is called “the darky” by Adam Nehemiah; the name represents the stereotype he sees as the subject of his book. She is called “the wench” by Ruth, who distrusts her because of her reputation for violence. Part 3, in which Dessa begins to narrate her own story, is called “The Negress,” a French word Harker has told her means “black woman”; Dessa is amused that “blank” means “white” in French. Throughout, Dessa is referred to as the “devil woman” because of her part in the revolt. At first she resents the name, but she comes to accept its use by black people as an assertion of pride in her strength and daring.

Ruth thinks of herself as “Rufel,” the pet name Mammy gave her, but she is offended if others use her baby name. Usually, they call her “Miz Lady” or “Mistress,” and she demands an apology when Dessa calls her “Miz Ruint.” Nathan clarifies his relationship to Ruth when she calls him “the funniest darky” and he replies, “My name Nathan.” When speaking of her to the angry Dessa, he determinedly calls her “Ruth.” The name “Mammy” is the focus of an argument between Dessa and Rufel. Though they soon realize that they are talking about different people, the controversy shocks Ruth into recognition of how little she knows about the human being she loved more than anyone else and spurs Dessa to an impassioned recitation of the names of her mother’s children, preserving the oral history of her family. At the end of their travels, Ruth objects to Dessa’s calling her “mistress,” saying, “My name Ruth.” Dessa counters that her own name is Dessa Rose, not Odessa, as white people assume it is. The exchange cements a friendship between equals.