Thanks for your response!
I haven't changed the Xcode project file manually, but I did create a sample project on the side and followed the steps of what I had done.
If I create data model file (.xcdatamodeld) at main project level, then the project file doesn't have "name" property in it and the path to the data model is also correct. I was trying to sort the project into modules and folders and I created a specific folder for data model and moved ".xcdatamodeld" under that folder. That's when "name" gets added to project file and even the path of the data model file changes.
Here is what you can try:
Create a sample app and add data model file to it at main project level.
Check project file and you won't see "name = "sample-app.xcdatamodeld";" in it.
Now create a new group/folder at main project level and move the data model file under it.
Check the project file and you will see "name = "sample-app.xcdatamodeld";" being added to it.
Is this expected?