What does the name “Pandora” traditionally mean in Greek mythology?

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

The interpretation comes from the Greek elements pan, meaning “all,” and dōron, meaning “gift.” It reflects the myth's description of Pandora as receiving gifts or qualities from the gods before being sent to humanity. Some scholarly discussions examine whether the name can also carry an “all-giving” sense, because Greek words and mythic formulas can support more than one nuance.

Pandora's name therefore works on several levels. She is a divinely assembled figure, she receives attributes from multiple gods, and she becomes the bearer of the sealed vessel whose opening releases human troubles.

The popular phrase “Pandora's box” is itself a later transformation of the ancient story. Hesiod's early account uses a pithos, or large storage jar, not the small box familiar from modern English.