Now you know what come up in my mind? SInce Sai has the same treatment as that's Neji in 573 by Kishimoto, I fear for him... I wonder if his odd absence is likely to have the same meaning as that's absence of Neji in 573.... :/
At the moment I'm worried about Sai as well. :(
As for Sakura's name, Chatte is right about the association of cherry blossoms with Samurai and death, sybolizing drops of blood. Cherry blossoms were also used by Kamikaze pilots. So there is a long history there of her name being connected with nationalism and death in battle.
However, cherry blossoms are also symbolic of spring. Of purity and simplicity -- you know, like Naruto's feelings for her :) -- and new beginnings, including... weddings.
And they also symbolize transition. That's a fun one to ponder....
So considering her last name also contains haru, or spring, I would lean toward assuming Kishimoto is conjuring a positive image with her name(s) and not a scary/negative one.
Edited by KnS, 25 May 2013 - 11:07 PM.