I like your response to the questions.
You mentioned a problem with placeholder titles for stories being the only way you see them. I agree with that but it also depends on whether or not the title works throughout the storyline.
I have a family storyline going and the only Title I could figure out to work for it was "Domino" because it started with the Mom and Dad of the series and moves to the story of their children and the problems they face. The reason for the title was like setting up dominos if one falls the others will follow. One decision the parents make causes a few problems for the children.