In Hesiod’s Pandora’s Box myth, the first woman is named Pandora. Her arrival is central to the Greek explanation of how suffering and hardship entered human life.
Hesiod describes Pandora as a divinely created woman rather than as a naturally born human character. The gods contribute different gifts and qualities, and Zeus sends her to Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus. Her name means “all-gifted,” referring to the gifts she receives from the gods.
Pandora is sometimes called the first woman in Greek mythology, but that description belongs specifically to the Hesiodic tradition. Greek myths vary widely, and not every ancient source treats women, humanity, or creation in exactly the same way.
The familiar English phrase “Pandora’s box” comes from later misunderstanding. Hesiod describes a jar or storage vessel, not a box. Even so, Pandora’s name remains attached to the container story and has become a standard metaphor for releasing widespread trouble.