In Greek mythology, what does the name “Pandora” most nearly mean?

In Greek mythology, the name Pandora most nearly means “all-gifted.” It comes from Greek elements connected with “all” and “gift,” reflecting the tradition that the gods collectively gave Pandora different qualities, ornaments, or abilities.

Hesiod's account emphasizes that Pandora receives contributions from several gods. Hephaestus makes her, while other deities provide gifts such as beauty, clothing, speech, and persuasive ability. The name therefore describes her divine presentation as a being equipped by many gods, not simply a gift from one deity.

Some ancient interpretations also connect Pandora with the idea that she receives gifts from all the gods or that she gives gifts to all. Modern reference works usually translate the name as “all-gifted” or “all-giving,” while the creation narrative most clearly supports the first sense.

The name can seem surprising because Pandora's story is often remembered mainly for suffering. Its positive surface meaning is part of the myth's irony: the gods make her appear richly endowed, yet Zeus's plan uses her arrival to bring hardship to humanity. That contrast helps explain the story's enduring complexity.