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Itâs well-known now that Dylanâs stage name was borrowed from Dylan Thomas, a poet he admired. But before that, he must have just liked the sound of the name. Because in his earliest days as a performer, he appears to have spent a period spelling it as âDillonâ.
Whether that was in tribute to anyone is unclear. Many of historyâs famous Dillons were Irish, including several Arthurs who fought in exile for France; John the Nationalist MP; and his son James, the Fine Gael leader and orator who once, defending himself against a charge of pro-Britishness, lectured Eamon de Valera: âmy ancestors fought for Ireland [â¦] on the continent of Europe while yours were banging banjos and bartering budgies in the backstreets of Barcelona.â