Version number belongs in a "Version" field in the naming table within the font file. The name of the font should stay constant.
You don't see "Arial_1", "Arial_5", "Arial_99812"... there is only "Arial" but the version may differ. If you get a newer version you simply replace the existing one with the latest so there is no confusion when you are in word. There is only one Arial.
Your naming convention could be useful to you while working on a font so you can have them both installed at the same time for comparison. However, when you release a version that you are happy with it should be the constant name such as "Laurier".
kk, swallow, ivan, lauren, and everyone else please let me know if i am not making sense and steering Peter in the wrong direction...

Alex, Abstract Fonts