The Greek name traditionally translated as “afterthought” for Pandora’s husband is Epimetheus. He is a Titan in Greek mythology and the brother of Prometheus, whose name is commonly translated as “foresight.”
The contrast between the brothers helps explain their roles in the Pandora story. Prometheus anticipates danger and warns Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus. Epimetheus nevertheless accepts Pandora, and the myth presents this decision as an example of acting without foresight.
Epimetheus is not simply a minor alternate name for Prometheus. They are separate figures with different mythic identities. Epimetheus is also associated in some traditions with animals and with the distribution of qualities among living creatures, while Prometheus is strongly connected with fire and human civilization.
The name’s conventional translation comes from Greek word formation, but translations are interpretive rather than exact one-word equivalents. English-language reference works nevertheless consistently use “afterthought” as the standard gloss.