Herrp a derrrp

[Sephiroth]

Plus tons of video game characters get their names changed. Aeris just seems to be one of the ones who has the biggest stink surrounding it.

That is because there is a difference between a change and a mistranslation based on the thought it is the right word. You can go with Seifer and Cifer, Ultimecia and Artemisia, Firion and Frioniel but thinking Fourth is right when Force is meant, Reverse when Rebirth is meant or Aeris when Aerith is meant is not the same no matter if Foosu, Ribasu and Earisu habe both possibilities. Intention is a part oft context. If they would have known and still called her that because they wanted to give her that name even knowing she'd have a different one it would have been something else.