Pandora is the Greek name commonly translated as “all-gifted” for the woman in the myth.
The name combines Greek elements often rendered as “all” and “gifts,” reflecting the story’s claim that the gods each contributed something to her. Hesiod’s account describes divine contributions to her beauty, speech, skill, and character, although translations differ in exactly how those gifts are presented. The name therefore connects Pandora’s identity to the collective actions of the gods.
Some scholars have discussed alternative nuances, including whether the name could mean “all-giver” rather than simply “all-gifted.” The ordinary English explanation remains “all-gifted,” and it is the standard gloss in reference works. This linguistic detail also helps distinguish Pandora from the container associated with her: Pandora is the person, while the pithos is the vessel. The later phrase “Pandora’s box” can blur that distinction by making the object seem more central than the named woman.