Pataki or Pataky is a Hungarian surname that literally means "from Patak". "Pataki" can also translate into "near a creek" or "someone who lived by a brook or a stream". Notable bearers include: Pataki Allison Pataki (born 1984), American author Andrew Pataki (1927–2011), Bishop Emeritus of Passaic for the Byzantines Ferenc Pataki (1917–1988), Hungarian gymnast, Olympic champion George Pataki (born 1945), Governor of New York (1995–2006) Ladislav Pataki (1946–2007), Slovak-American coach, sports scientist, masters track & field thrower Libby Pataki (born 1950), wife of George Pataki, First Lady of New York (1995–2006) Michael Pataki (1938–2010), American actor Mihály Pataki (1893–1977), Hungarian amateur football player Zita Pataki (born 1973), Hungarian news reporter Pataky Attila Pataky (born 1951), Edda Művek vocalist Bill Pataky (1930–2004), Canadian Olympic basketball player (1952) Elsa Pataky (born 1976), Spanish model and actress Etelka Barsi-Pataky (1941–2018), Hungarian politician Fictional characters Helga G. Pataki, character on Hey Arnold! See also Potok, Potocki (Slavic term) Surnames Hungarian-language surnames de:Pataki de:Pataky hu:Pataki