When is a name a name? The (OED) dictionary defines "name" as "word(s) by which a person, place, animal, thing etc is known and spoken to or of". This means that something doesn't have to have an "offical" name in order for the `name` tag to be set in OSM, but it should be "known" by that name, by a reasonable proportion of relevant people (people whom you would assume to be the authority on naming the thing in question - usually, those who interact with the thing on a regular basis because they live there). The `name` tag (or its `name:xx` siblings) should not be used for * a _description_ of an object ("farm", "beach access road") * a "niche name" that only very few people use to refer to the object, and that is therefore difficult to verify * a _translation_ or _transliteration_ of the real name (Pont Neuf in Paris is not called "New Bridge" in English hence a `name:en` tag is not appropriate) To answer your question, it is certainly not ok for a mapper to invent a name for an airstrip; however most names were invented at some point in history, so if someone invents a name and it catches on and a sizeable group of people refer to the thing by that name, then it's ok to be mapped. Or if someone invents the name and puts it up on a big sign.

When is a name a name? The (OED) dictionary defines "name" as "word(s) by which a person, place, animal, thing etc is known and spoken to or of". This means that something doesn't have to have an "offical" name in order for the `name` tag to be set in OSM, but it should be "known" by that name, by a reasonable proportion of relevant people (people whom you would assume to be the authority on naming the thing in question - usually, those who interact with the thing on a regular basis because they live there). The `name` tag (or its `name:xx` siblings) should not be used for * a _description_ of an object ("farm", "beach access road") * a "niche name" that only very few people use to refer to the object, and that is therefore difficult to verify * a _translation_ or _transliteration_ of the real name (Pont Neuf in Paris is not called "New Bridge" in English hence a `name:en` tag is not appropriate) To answer your question, it is certainly not ok for a mapper to invent a name for an airstrip; however most names were invented at some point in history, so if someone invents a name and it catches on and a sizeable group of people refer to the thing by that name, then it's ok to be mapped. Or if someone invents the name and puts it up on a big sign.