I doubt I added the name in the first instance - I was probably splitting ways, adding lighting/non lighting/carriageway_ref/lanes/bridges/embankments from the existing way.

That said, on approach to the motorway, there used to be signs saying "London Orbital M25 x miles". I'm sure that some fo the literature at the time it was built (after it was known it was going to be a single road) named it "London Orbital Motorway". Also public enquiries at the time referred to the London Orbital: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11292342

I've absolutely no idea - I don't recall adding that (but it is over three years ago!); maybe I split it from somewhere, or copied something with "r" accidentally from somewhere else where it's disappeared from since..... I've no problem with the tag being removed if it is meaningless to everyone.