@n is supposed to be equivalent to @e[limit=1,sort=nearest], but @e does not select entities that are in the process of dying, while @n does.

How to Reproduce:

1. Summon 2 pigs.
2. Name each a different thing.
3. Run /kill @n[type=pig] twice in quick succession.
4. Note that it kills the same pig twice.
5. Repeat, but use /kill @e[type=pig,limit=1,sort=nearest] twice instead
6. Note that both pigs are killed.

I'm assuming that this is not intended behavior because it was not described to function this way in the patch notes.