Quite often I will ask someone the name and size of the quilt, not because I am trying to figure out how to make it but to get a perspective on it and if I want to make one. I don't make wall hangings and I don't like small throws. Also, I have a queen bed and the other bedroom has a full size bed so a King Size quilt is not going to be something I want to make either.
I do believe it can be rude to ask for a copy of a pattern but then if it is one from the internet that was free to begin with I don't see any harm in sharing that information.