The name Pandora is associated with the Greek meaning “all-gifted” or “all-giving.” In the myth, the gods collectively furnish her with qualities and abilities, making the name a description of her divine gifts.
The Greek name is commonly written Πανδώρα. It combines the elements pan, meaning “all,” and dōron, meaning “gift.” Some interpretations emphasize “all-gifted,” while others read the name as “all-giving.” Both translations reflect the ambiguity of Greek compound words and the story’s emphasis on gifts from many gods.
Pandora’s gifts are not uniformly positive. Athena teaches her crafts, Aphrodite gives beauty, and Hermes provides persuasive speech along with a deceptive character. The myth therefore makes divine gifts part of a larger act of punishment.
Modern uses of Pandora’s name often omit this wordplay. The name survives in the phrase “Pandora’s box,” in artistic works, and in the name of the fictional moon Pandora in the 2009 film Avatar.