The name Pandora is of Greek origin and has a rich history and meaning behind it. In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on Earth. She was created by the gods to be a companion for Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus. Pandora was given many gifts from the gods, including beauty, grace, and curiosity.
The name Pandora is derived from the Greek words "pan" meaning "all" and "doron" meaning "gift." Therefore, her name literally translates to "all gifted." However, the original meaning of her name has been somewhat tarnished by its association with the story of Pandora's Box. According to this myth, after Prometheus stole fire from the gods, Zeus punished humanity by giving Pandora a jar filled with evils and plagues as a wedding gift. When she opened the jar, all the evils flew out, leaving only hope behind.
Despite this dark association, the name Pandora has remained popular throughout history. It was even used as a given name for a queen of Epirus in the 4th century BCE. Today, Pandora is still considered an exotic and unique name with a fascinating backstory. Its meaning, "all gifted," makes it a fitting choice for parents looking to give their daughter a name that celebrates her many talents and abilities.
The name Pandora has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable spike occurring in recent decades. Between 1912 and 1940, there were fewer than 10 births each year on average, with some years seeing as few as five births. The name's popularity began to rise in the late 1940s, reaching over ten births per year from 1945 onwards.
The peak of Pandora's popularity came in the early 2000s, with over 30 births each year between 2000 and 2004. Since then, the number of annual births has fluctuated but has generally remained above 20. In recent years, there have been around 35-40 births per year.
In total, from 1912 to 2023, there were 3054 births registered with the name Pandora.