The name Pandora is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "all gifted". Pandora and is often added to lists like Mythology Girl Names and discussed in our forums with posts like "Names on NB that make you go WOW!".
From the experts:
Pandora has occasionally been used by the British gentry (for girls with brothers who might be called Peregrine) but is rarely heard here, probably because Pandora was the mythological first woman on earth whose curiosity caused her to lift a forbidden box and inadvertently unleash all the evils of the world.
But perhaps she's paid the price long enough--Pandora could conceivably ride the wave of other rediscovered names Dora and Theodora—unless it's too identified with the popular internet radio site.
Pandora is the eponymous title character of an Anne Rice vampire novel, and appears in the Adrian Mole books.
Lists containing Pandora
Pandora in Blog Posts
Pandora in the Forums
16 names similar to Pandora
These 16 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Pandora. If you didn't find an alternative name that you like better than Pandora, try our name generator. It allows you to go beyond the similarities of a name, which can provide a lot of inspiration!
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RoseGoldHeart Says:
Daniel Theodophilus Croser Says:
So I looked into it further and found that the earliest version (that directly labels Pandora as Pandora, there is an earlier one where the lady is unnamed) as recorded by Hesiod did indeed have Hope kept inside, as Zeus blocked it from leaving to further punish mankind. In the version Zoey speaks of, as recorded by Theognis, Pandora has a jar of all the good in the world, not the bad. So when she opens it all the good things flee and are no longer with mankind except for hope, which stays in the jar.
Josie1497 Says:
Interesting! It appears there are different versions of the myth, which really isn't that surprising when you think of it. I always heard the one where Hope remains in the jar, which is also the version that Wikipedia has for Pandora's page. To be honest though, I think Hope's release makes more sense, which may be where this version came from. Anyway, I love the name and hope that more people start using it!
emilybelle Says:
No one else seen Notting Hill?
Spike: "I knew a girl at school named Pandora... never got to see her box though"
Daniel Theodophilus Croser Says:
Hope was released. Quote below:
"The creatures stung Pandora over and over again and she slammed the lid shut. Epimetheus ran into the room to see why she was crying in pain. Pandora could still hear a voice calling to her from the box, pleading with her to be let out. Epimetheus agreed that nothing inside the box could be worse than the horrors that had already been released, so they opened the lid once more.
All that remained in the box was Hope. It fluttered from the box like a beautiful dragonfly, touching the wounds created by the evil creatures, and healing them. Even though Pandora had released pain and suffering upon the world, she had also allowed Hope to follow them."
Haids1987 Says:
If people can get onboard with Eve, why not Pandora? I like it, and I think it's pretty and feminine.
EW314 Says:
I think this is a sweet name with an intriguing history. Pandora was not evil, just curious, and I think this would suit a little child perfectly!
Dora is a lovely nickname, but I also think Panda is really cute as suggested below. I like Theodora a lot too but this is a little more distinctive. I don't get an aristocratic vibe from this at all - I think it's good fun.
Lena_Aline Says:
Pandora was created to open the jar, she wasn't doing out of malice.
Yessica Says:
Like the app?
S123 Says:
It's still a negative association
Zelliew Says:
It associate this name with the book series about Adrian Molle. It was very funny.
Bookers Says:
I feel upset about how many people dislike Pandora. She was literally CREATED to open the Pithos. It wasn't her fault at all.
DaisyMaisie Says:
nicknames panda or dory is cute!
lynn_wentworth Says:
I love Pandora with the nn Panda or Dora! A beautiful name with a rich Greek history.
Zoey_Artemisia Says:
I love this name, it looks beautiful and sounds beautiful. The only bad thing is that there is a jewellery store name Pandora, so I'll go for the name Callidora instead, it's greek and means 'gift of beauty'. Plus it has the friendly Nn Callie.
Zoey_Artemisia Says:
But pandora did not release the evils on purpose, it was out of curiosity- not malice.
Zoey_Artemisia Says:
Actually hope was never released, it stayed in the box because it did not desert mankind to suffer the evils without hope.
Myosotis Says:
Pandora's been my favourite girls name for years. It sounds and looks beautiful, it's got an amazing meaning, a connection to Greek mythology, and such great nn options. I love the strong, feisty image I get from it, as well as the whimsical, mysterious feel. And the radio station isn't really applicable here. Basically I really love Pandora! :)
Plutophelia Says:
stripper name / sex shop. that is all i can think of.
alchemicallypurplefairy Says:
I really don't like this name, I associate it too much with the mythology and Dora the Explorer
TrailingTiana Says:
Pandora is a beautiful name, and the last item released from her box into the world was hope
tiannarose Says:
It's high on my list. I like most names ending in -dora but this one is especially beautiful to me.
Guest Says:
Has too much of a negative connotation, it's just evil to do to a child tbh.
ZuglyMonster Says:
My friends named their daughter Pandora. Shes the only Pandora I know. I like it, but people do always ask if they named her after the radio station
Theodora_Phoenix Says:
I liked tnis name when I was little, but between Pandora's box and the music web, I personally am no longer a fan.
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