In Greek mythology, the woman associated with the vessel later called Pandora’s box is Pandora.
Hesiod presents Pandora as the first woman, fashioned by the gods and endowed with gifts before being sent among humanity. Her name is commonly explained from Greek elements meaning “all-gifted” or “all gifts,” reflecting the many divine qualities bestowed on her.
The familiar expression “Pandora’s box” comes from a later translation tradition. Hesiod’s Works and Days describes a large storage jar, or pithos, rather than a small box. The name Pandora belongs to the woman, not to the vessel itself.
Pandora’s story is often linked with the origin of human suffering because opening the container releases harmful forces into the world. The myth is distinct from the story of Eve, although both figures are sometimes compared in discussions of origin stories.