Origin of the name Bilbo This is a query I have related to another article and maybe you Tolkien enthusiasts may help The name bilbo appears in classical English as a type of sword see Bilbo sword which is mentioned by Shakespeare s character Pistol in the Merry Wives of Windsor Ha thou mountain foreigner Sir John and Master mine I combat challenge of this latten bilbo Word of denial in thy labras here Word of denial froth and scum thou liest and is ethymologically linked to the Basque city of Bilbao also known as Bilbo by locals and Bilboa in old English My question is does anybody know for sure and can document somehow if Tolkien s name choice for this character was inspired by these cultural references sword Shakespeare I feel it s probably the case but I d like to have more definite information thanks