I think number designations are the classiest, and often the most recognizable. When I say 700, no one in the gun world has any question as to what I'm talking about. On the other hand, I'm not really into year names. 1911 just doesn't have much of a ring to it.
The worst, in general, seem to be the letter or acronym names. Kel Tec's new RFB, for example. (RFB stands for Rifle, Forward ejecting, Bullpup.) AUG, PDR, etc. Too clumsy.
Letter and number designations don't normally rub me one way or the other. I have a Cx4, and I love it, but Storm is a lot more exciting (although it would seem better placed on something that fired full auto). While it's not very exciting, it is nice when the manufacturer sets up a code that you can identify the gun with. (Kahr PM9, for example, which is a subcompact -micro?- polymer 9mm.)