What does the Greek name “Epimetheus,” Pandora’s husband, mean?

The Greek name “Epimetheus,” Pandora’s husband, means “afterthought.” It contrasts with the name of his brother Prometheus, whose name is commonly interpreted as “forethought.”

That contrast supports the brothers’ different roles in Greek mythology. Prometheus is portrayed as clever and farsighted, while Epimetheus acts more belatedly. In Hesiod’s story, Epimetheus accepts Pandora despite Prometheus’s warning not to receive gifts from Zeus.

The name is meaningful rather than a modern nickname added by translators. Greek myth frequently uses names to signal a character’s qualities or function. Epimetheus’s association with hindsight also helps explain why later writers use him as a counterpart to Prometheus, even though the Pandora story itself focuses on the consequences of Zeus’s plan.