Esperanza Cordero The narrator and central character.
Nenny (Magdalena) Esperanza’s younger sister.
Papa, Mama, Carlos and Kiki Esperanza’s parents (Mr. and Mrs. E. Cordero) and her two younger brothers.
Cathy A neighbor girl.
Edna The woman who owns and lives in the apartment building next door; the mother of Ruthie, a childlike woman.
Lucy and Rachel Two girls who live across the street; Lucy is the older sister, Rachel the younger.
Meme Ortiz The boy who moves into Cathy’s house.
Marin A neighborhood girl, older than Esperanza.
The Vargas family Rosa and her children, who are many and out of control.
Alicia One of Esperanza’s neighbors; Alicia is a university student and becomes a friend to Esperanza.
Darius A neighborhood boy.
Sister Superior Esperanza’s school principal.
Aunt Lupe (Guadalupe) One of Esperanza’s aunts.
Elenita A witch woman.
Geraldo A man Marin meets at a dance.
Earl A man who lives in Edna’s basement apartment.
Sire A boy Esperanza is attracted to.
Mamacita A woman who never leaves her apartment.
Rafaela Another married neighborhood woman.
Sally A friend of Esperanza’s.
Minerva A young woman whose husband beats her.
The three sisters Lucy and Rachel’s great-aunts.
