Ashima carries multiple address books with her after moving to America in "The Namesake." In her old life, prior to her arrival in the States, Ashima remained in the same few houses for her whole life—only 3. Now, having come to America, she is constantly moving.

Ashima uses these address books to keep a record of the locations in which she has lived, for memory and in case it is ever brought up and she needs a record of it. This is, sadly, an indicative state of affairs of many immigrants, not only to the United States but throughout the world, particularly those of low economic status. It symbolizes their upheaval and the fact that they feel disconnected with no permanent dwelling. Many immigrants are, literally, nomads in their new country, moving from place to place frequently, but even those who aren't can tend to feel separated and without firm ground because they have lost their homeland but do not feel connected to their new land.