I had quite forgotten about this - if not about the existence of translation, but at least of the actual names of the Hobbits. I had a sudden urge to think that if I ever have a daughter, I just might
have to name her Maura...!
To be a bit more serious and on-topic, I must say this issue is a bit confusing to me too. It does not feel nice to use the "wrong names of the heroes, but then again, would it be the same if they had those alien names? I don't think so. The Hobbits would indeed feel a little less familiar to me - and I'm Finnish, not English like the "primary audience". I trust Tolkien knew what he was doing.