What does the name Pandora commonly mean in Greek mythology?

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

The name is usually connected with the Greek elements pan, meaning “all,” and doron, meaning “gift.” This reflects the story in which several gods contribute gifts or qualities to Pandora. Athena gives her clothing and adornment, Aphrodite gives beauty, and Hermes gives deceptive speech and a misleading character in Hesiod’s account.

The name can also be interpreted in a related way as “all-giving,” and scholars discuss how the wording fits the myth’s context. The standard English explanation, however, is “all-gifted,” emphasizing that Pandora receives gifts from the gods.

Her name creates an intentional contrast. She appears as a divine gift to humanity, but the gift is part of Zeus’s punishment after Prometheus gives fire to humans. The attractive presentation disguises the suffering associated with her arrival.