Repost - Who are you, little man?

Hello Little Person,
What are we going to call you? It seems like we waited for so long to find out whether you were a boy or a girl, and now that we know (or at least, we think we do), we get to choose your name. Wow. What an awesome responsibility! Whatever name we give you will be with you for your entire life (unless you decide to change it, but that's a big hassle). It seems likely that our choice will impact your identity - both how you are seen by others and how you see yourself. That's why I'm so committed to naming you with four names. For reasons of family politics, we aren't naming you with a hyphenated last name (Edwards-Brown), but I confess, your personal identity is why I've insisted that Edwards not be reduced to a simple middle name. By giving you four names you will at least be reminded that you are made of two families - not just one. I want you to see yourself that way.

But first names are hardest. I wish you could talk. What do you think about Joshua? We like it a lot, but we aren't just smitten with it. I really like Abel Elias Edwards Brown, but your dad is not convinced. Your dad's going favorite is Corinth Gradyn Edwards Brown. We are both persuadable. Also in the running are Andrew and Joseph. The name Corinth Gradyn came to me in a dream when you were only 8 or 10 weeks in the womb. It was a scary dream, but it seemed kind of weirdly prophetic, so that name's still on the list. Then, there's the current leading name - your dad and I both like it a lot. Jonathan "Jonah" Thomas Edwards Brown. What do you think of that? You'd be named for your father, your great grandfather on his side, and your grandfather on my side. Would that give you freedom of identity? Perhaps not entirely - since no name would really give you total freedom of identity, but how about flexible identity? I hope so. I really like that one. It's purely coincidence, but a funny and appropriate one that this alludes to your spending time in the belly of a whale.
10.2.2007