I've always considered the Barbarian as the Alternative Warrior to the polished discipline of the Fighter. Whereas the Fighter relies on training, tactics, and a precise honing of a particular skill set, the Barbarian represents resourcefulness through raw experience, strength and versatility through emotion, and unorthodox strategies as a result of limiting circumstances. I don't find an issue with someone using a Barbarian in "Here's a 20lb Battleaxe, turn your rage lights on, and cut someone's torso in two," mode. That's one form of Barbarian, and people can decide which form they play. Also I don't find issue with the word "Barbarian," not only because it's a classic, but because it's become one of those catch all terms for a particular style of play. The original poster mentioned that the Barbarian should get an intelligence bonus because the cultures from which the Barbarian class was derived exhibited a great amount of ingenuity and intelligence. While this is true, doesn't necessarily mean that every memeber of this culture was multi-lingual, and an outdoors scientist. On the contrary, the majority of people, like in Western culture were most likely extremely ignorant. That said, the Barbarian should have a little more available in the brains department to reflect a trade or whatever contribution they made in their society.
But opening up some of the Barbarian's defining ability up to player intepretation might help expand the perspective people have of what makes a Barbarian, for example the Emotion Based "Rage" ability should be slightly tweaked to invite diversity:
Per encounter Emotion-based Ability: Choose one of three at Character Creation
Rage-Once per encounter, Activated mode
You have learned to draw on the fires and turmoil that have defined an extremely brutal life.
Grants player bonus to strength, fortitude, and speed for a short time.
Courage-Once per encounter, Passive ability*
Your willingness to singlehandedly jump in and take on the bulk of the fray both inspires your allies, and confounds your foes
Grants Players Allies a small bonus to attack and defense
*Only activated when player is surrounded by three or more foes.
Fear-Once Per Encounter, Area of Effect ability
Survival in the darkest outreaches of civilization has made fear an ever looming presence in your world and your closest ally
Grants the player the ability to momentarily cause panic among enemy bands