I don't remember anyone getting upset about the "Rufus Shinra March" showing up in FFIX. Yet a kid named Shinra in X-2 suddenly means a definite connection?

There are only so many names to be had. How many guys in the world are named "Chris"?

I think an identical musical score showing up is far more indicative of a connection than a repeated name.

ZOMG! Biggs and Wedge and Cid are in every Final Fantasy! EVERY GAME MUST BE IN THE SAME UNIVERSE!

They're all FF games. They share stuff. What's the big deal?

How many Masamunes, Murasamas, Ramuhs, Shivas, Bahamuts, Tonberries, Moogles, etcetera have shown up? It's a name. Nothing more.