[downplay]

Slightly off-topic but what about the alternative of sub-domains?

For web sites I tend to use the www subdomain, because it offers convenience and flexibility with CNAMEing, but I absolutely loathe the www subdomain. Almost as much as 'com' as a tld. I assume com is an abbreviation of company. Many websites aren't companies so that doesn't make much sense to me.

Despite my personal gripes, it's mainly aesthetics, and these fall into the background, you fail to notice or care.

I rather a general identifier. Ambiguity isn't all that terrible: Apple Records and Apple Computers. Coke the drink, the drug, the fuel etc.

A name by itself doesn't always mean that much without context.