Bill I've noticed a problem, as a math-lover like you I think you should appreciate it. A quarter note is only a quarternote in 4/4 time! We should call quarter-notes whole-notes, whole notes quad-notes, and eight-notes half-notes! What do you think?
they are named after the bar. specifically a 'common' bar. if you want to go back in time and re-name them after a beat, be my guest