What does the name Pandora commonly mean in ancient Greek?

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

The name is connected with the Greek words pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” It reflects the myth’s description of the gods giving Pandora different qualities. Hesiod’s account presents her as receiving gifts from the gods, making the name an important part of her characterization.

Pandora is therefore not named simply because she carries a container. The name emphasizes the divine contributions that make her distinctive. In later interpretations, the same gifts can be viewed positively, negatively, or ambiguously, depending on whether the focus is her beauty, intelligence, speech, craft, or the troubles associated with the vessel.

The name is sometimes explained as “giver of all,” but “all-gifted” is the standard concise gloss for the mythological figure. This distinction helps avoid confusing Pandora with unrelated Greek names or with modern brands and fictional characters that borrow her name.