Calling things after regions seems to be a uniquely British habit. I cannot think of a single mainland European airport of significance named after a region/county/area etc. These things do not appear on maps. Similarly, I could not tell you which region Toulouse, Barcelona, Naples, Munich etc are in.
I agree that in the UK this is largely a product of the media who seem so scared of putting anyone's nose out of joint.
At least it's not as bad as Durham Tees Valley though, who have contrived to name their airport after a city that is both smaller and further away than the obvious place it is supposed to serve.