American Gods Characters

Stories grow when they’re shared—let this one travel as far as your friends will take it. Check all the American Gods characters.

Rating	4.11
Reviews	48,718
Total Ratings	957,492
5 Star Rating	408,720 (42%)
Genres	Fantasy, Mythology
Award	Bram Stoker Award, Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
Pages	640

Character	Description
Shadow Moon	The main character; a quiet man with a mysterious past and strong loyalty.
Mr. Wednesday	A charming, crafty man who claims to be a god; he hires Shadow as his bodyguard.
Laura Moon	Shadow’s wife; dies early in the story but remains involved through supernatural events.
Mad Sweeney	An Irish leprechaun who struggles with bad luck and addiction.
Czernobog	A Slavic god of darkness who lives with his family in Chicago.
Mr. Nancy	The trickster god Anansi; friendly, humorous, and quick-witted.
Mr. Ibis	An Egyptian god who works at a funeral home and records stories.
Mr. Jacquel	Anubis, an Egyptian god of death; helps prepare bodies for the afterlife.
Sam Black Crow	A young woman Shadow meets on the road; open-minded and confident.
Technical Boy	A god of technology; arrogant and impulsive, often disrespectful.
Media	A goddess of media; uses screens to communicate and influence people.
Mr. Town	A government agent working for the New Gods; stern and relentless.
Mr. Stone	Another agent of the New Gods; follows orders without question.
Mr. Wood	A cruel god who represents ancient forces and works with the New Gods.
Mama-Ji	A fierce Hindu goddess who appears as an older woman with great wisdom.
Whiskey Jack	A Native American spirit who offers Shadow guidance in his journey.
The Zorya Sisters	Three sisters who represent morning, evening, and night; they watch over the world.
Low-Key Lyesmith	Shadow’s cellmate; clever, sarcastic, and well-versed in Norse mythology.
Mr. Road	A powerful being who sides with the New Gods and shows violent tendencies.
Mr. Wood	Works alongside Mr. Town and Mr. Road; dark and dangerous.
Hinzelmann	A friendly German immigrant in Lakeside; has a mysterious, dark side.
Easter	The goddess of spring and rebirth; colorful, lively, and strong.
Horus	The Egyptian god of the sky; he often appears sleepy and distant.
Bast	Egyptian cat goddess who acts mysteriously but cares deeply for her people.
Alviss	A dwarf with knowledge of metal and magic; works behind the scenes.
John Chapman	Known as Johnny Appleseed, he represents American folklore.
Vulcan	A Roman god of fire and metal; he supports the New Gods.
The Norns	Three ancient beings who control fate; they appear briefly but carry great importance.
Bilquis	Queen of Sheba; a goddess of love and lust who struggles to survive in the modern world.
Mr. Hinzelmann	A friendly old man in Lakeside who hides a dark secret.
Madge	A waitress in Lakeside; friendly and curious about Shadow.
Audrey Burton	Robbie Burton’s widow; she blames Shadow for her husband’s death.
Robbie Burton	Shadow’s best friend; dies in a car accident before the story begins.
Chad Mulligan	The police chief in Lakeside; friendly and sharp.
Marguerite Olsen	A reporter in Lakeside who helps Shadow; cautious but caring.
Sandy Olsen	Marguerite’s sister; supportive and kind.
Moussa	A jinn who serves as a guide to other supernatural beings.
Lou Reed	A musician; appears in a vision to speak with Shadow.
Peaseblossom	A fairy who aids Mr. Wednesday in his plans.
Thoth	Egyptian god of wisdom and writing; works in the funeral business with Mr. Ibis.
Mr. Manfred	A mysterious figure tied to ancient history and belief.
Vulko	A minor god who works with the New Gods to secure power.
John Wayne	Appears as a vision to Shadow; represents classic American heroism.
Woodrow	A minor character who appears in Shadow’s visions and dreams.
Kali	The Hindu goddess of destruction; respected by other gods.
Louis	Shadow’s roommate in prison; becomes a confidant.
Esther	A character in the House on the Rock gathering; curious and inquisitive.
Sherman	An old friend of Shadow’s from his past life; shows little understanding.
Mr. Wednesday’s Raven	A raven that follows Mr. Wednesday; it acts as his spy.
Kali	Hindu goddess of time and change; a powerful presence among the gods.
Martha Kent	Briefly appears; represents Shadow’s need for family.
Emily Dickinson	Appears as a vision; gives advice to Shadow.
Echo	Appears briefly in a dream; reflects on unfulfilled love.
Nunyunnini	An ancient mammoth god; one of the Old Gods who feels abandoned.
Kali	The goddess of time and destruction from Hinduism.
Eostre	Goddess of dawn and spring; her character embodies renewal.
Nyame	An African sky god; associated with traditional tales.
The House Cat	Mysterious, connected to Bast, and symbolic of Egyptian beliefs.
Sigrun	A Norse Valkyrie; loyal to her kin and traditions.
Loki	Norse trickster god; causes trouble but also brings wisdom.
Aggie	A friendly older woman Shadow meets on his journey.
Zorya Utrennyaya	Represents morning; one of the sisters who watches over the world.
Zorya Vechernyaya	Represents evening; wise and protective of her family.
Zorya Polunochnaya	Represents midnight; grants Shadow a special gift.
Sally	A waitress who serves Shadow; friendly but uninterested in myths.
Jack	A wanderer Shadow meets who shares stories of past adventures.
Mike Ainsel	Shadow’s alias when he moves to Lakeside.
Rusty	A trucker who shares stories about his travels.
Betty	A woman who helps Shadow navigate the small-town lifestyle.
Phil	A friendly face at the local diner.
Harold	An old friend of Wednesday; shares wisdom from the past.
Duke	A resident of Lakeside; appears suspicious of newcomers.
Ruby	A friendly character who helps Shadow in his journey.