In Greek mythology, Pandora is the name meaning “all-gifted” given to the first woman.
The name comes from Greek pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” Hesiod describes Pandora as receiving gifts or attributes from several gods, including clothing from Athena and grace from the Graces. Hermes gives her a deceptive or crafty character in Hesiod’s account.
Pandora is created after Zeus decides to punish humanity because Prometheus has stolen fire for humans. Her story appears most fully in Hesiod’s Theogony and Works and Days, although the two poems emphasize different details.
A common mix-up is treating Pandora as the name of the container. Pandora is the woman; the ancient Greek object is described as a pithos, a large storage jar. The phrase “Pandora’s box” developed later through translation and retelling.