Donald Fagen and Walter Becker took their band name from William S. Burroughs’ 1959 novel 'Naked Lunch.' In the book, 'Steely Dan III from Yokohama' is the name of a steam-powered dildo. Fagen and Becker, known for their dry wit and literary interests, found the reference amusing. Steely Dan became famous for their perfectionism in the studio and their blend of rock, jazz, and sophisticated lyrics, culminating in albums like 'Aja' and 'Gaucho.'