A method for distribution of directories in a storage system is provided. The method includes distributing information, regarding location in the storage system of a plurality of files in a directory, to a plurality of owners in a plurality of storage nodes of the storage system, wherein ownership of differing subsets of the plurality of files of the directory is distributed among differing owners in differing storage nodes. The method includes receiving a request for location information in the storage system of a file of the plurality of files in the directory and determining, based on a file name of the file and an identity of the directory, which of the plurality of owners has ownership of the file and the location information for the file.