What is the literal meaning of the Greek name Pandora?

The Greek name Pandora literally means “all-gifted.”

The name comes from Greek elements commonly translated as pan, meaning “all,” and dōron, meaning “gift.” In Hesiod’s account, Pandora receives gifts or qualities from several gods, which explains the name’s connection with her creation. The name presents her as a figure equipped by the gods, not as someone who independently chooses her identity or role.

Translations can vary slightly, including “all-giving” or “the giver of all,” because ancient Greek compounds can be rendered in more than one natural English form. “All-gifted” is the conventional concise translation used in discussions of the myth. Pandora’s name is also distinct from the later English phrase “Pandora’s box,” which became attached to the story even though Hesiod described a large jar.