In Hesiod’s Theogony, what does Pandora’s name literally mean?

In Hesiod’s Theogony, Pandora’s name literally means “all-gifted.”

The name comes from Greek components commonly interpreted as pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” Hesiod’s story presents Pandora as receiving gifts or qualities from the gods, which explains the name’s connection with divine gifts. English translations vary slightly, including “all-gifted” and “gifted by all.”

The name is not simply a label for curiosity or misfortune. Those associations come from the later events of the myth and from modern cultural usage. In Hesiod’s account, the name emphasizes the role of the gods in making and equipping Pandora.

The myth’s wording also helps explain why Pandora is sometimes discussed alongside other Greek stories about divine gifts with hidden consequences. Hesiod uses the narrative to explore the origins of human suffering, labor, and the separation between gods and mortals. Modern retellings often simplify those themes into the single image of opening a dangerous container.