In Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi frequently uses names to show identity (or a lack thereof) and also writes about characters who try to establish independence and connect to their roots. Let's look at examples of all of these.

Nicknames are prominent in this novel. The original half-sisters, Effia and Esi, both have nicknames. Effia is “Effia the Beauty” even though she has scars from abuse she received as a child. Esi is “ripe mango” because she is sweet but just a little spoiled. Both of these nicknames tell us something about the characters. One of Effia's descendants is Akua, who once set her family's hut on fire, killing many of her children and severely injuring her son, Yaw. Akua becomes “Crazy Woman,” yet she is not truly crazy, just racked with guilt. Akua has to move to escape the nickname and the stigma attached to it.

We can also look at characters who want to establish their independence. James Richard Collins is a good example. He is forced into marriage with Amma, but he loves Akosua and finally fakes his own death to be with her.

As for characters who want to connect with their roots, Marcus and Marjorie are the perfect examples here. Marcus descends from Esi, Marjorie from Effia. Together they return to Africa to find out where they came from and to reconnect the branches of the family.