What does the Greek name “Pandora” commonly mean in English?

The Greek name “Pandora” commonly means “all-gifted” in English.

The name comes from Greek elements commonly analyzed as pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” It reflects Hesiod’s description of the gods giving Pandora various qualities and adornments after Hephaestus formed her from earth.

Some translations and interpretations also connect the name with the idea of “all-giving,” and scholars have discussed whether the name may preserve older religious associations. “All-gifted” is the standard concise gloss in modern reference works, but the exact implications of the name in archaic Greek poetry can be more nuanced.

Pandora’s name is therefore ironic in the story. She is presented as receiving gifts from the gods, yet her arrival is also connected with the release of suffering into human life. The name emphasizes divine craftsmanship and contribution rather than describing the jar itself.