It's a shame that other thread had to be closed due to wacky-ass bullshit. Maybe delete all that and merge this with it and re-open the thing? Because I won't let the original discussion die!
I was reading an article on
Console Wars, a new book which chronicles the rise of Sega in the early '90s, its internal struggles, and a buncha other stuff. Page 7 of
this article actually pertains to the naming of
Castlevania, which is apparently attributed to a Christian named Emil Heidcamp, Konami of America's then senior vice president who didn't like the more literal translation of
Akumajou Dracula.
Whether he christened Castlevania or simply got the ball rolling on a more acceptable name change, I don't know, but I'm curious what the book actually has to say on the matter, something I intend to pick up soon.