In Hesiod’s Pandora story, what was Pandora’s name said to mean?

In Hesiod’s Pandora story, her name is said to mean “all-gifted.”

The name Pandora comes from ancient Greek elements commonly understood as pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” Hesiod uses the name to connect Pandora with the gifts supplied by the gods. Each deity contributes something to her construction or adornment, making the name part of the story’s structure rather than merely a personal label.

The interpretation is often rendered in English as “all-gifted,” “all-giving,” or “gifted by all.” For a short answer, “all-gifted” is the conventional translation. The wording does not mean that Pandora herself gives every gift; it emphasizes that she receives gifts from all the gods involved in her creation.

Pandora’s name is sometimes confused with the idea that she was the first woman in every Greek myth. That claim belongs specifically to Hesiod’s account. Other Greek traditions do not provide one single, unified version of her story. In Hesiod, the name also carries an ironic force because the beautiful divine gifts accompany a punishment directed at humanity.