Earth pony customs are queer indeed. Apparently, Earth pony foals can go for years without being given a name, as they feel that all names should mean something. To give a name that means nothing is equivalent to slapping a child in the face to them. And to make matters even more complicated, the parents themselves aren't allowed to name the foal, nor are anypony related to them allowed to take part in the process. The Earth ponies allow complete strangers to name their children! Outrageous!
Butter Biscuit assures me that the tradition of strangers naming their foals has never had any unsavory results. And when the process is done, more often than not the parents will have forged a relationship with somepony they otherwise would not have ever known. It creates a strong sense of community and unity among the Earth ponies and many of them would not choose to have it any other way. In fact, he says that he himself has been searching for someone to name his daughter for a little over a year now. What a fascinating bunch these Earth ponies are.
Addendum: Still no sign of the Commander. And I promised Rain I wouldn't read more than one of her letters in a day, and, honestly, with all the information she packs into one letter I don't think I'd be able to handle it. So I've taken to watching the girls play about. They all seem to be having a grand time, and Clover seems to be getting along especially well with Butter Biscuit's daughter. In fact, out of the whole bunch of them, that plucky little Earth filly seems to be the only one capable of keeping up with my little one. When I mentioned what a smart cookie she must be to Butter Biscuit, he got a funny look on his face.
Addendum #2: Biscuit's daughter's name is now Smart Cookie. I 'm more than a little honored.