Patnaik

Patnaik is an Indian surname of Odia origin, common among people from the Indian state of Odisha and among the Odia-speaking diaspora. It is used by members of multiple communities in Odisha and does not correspond to a single caste. The name is a regional surname reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of eastern India.

Notable bearers of the name include Biju Patnaik, an eminent aviator and former chief minister of Odisha, and Naveen Patnaik, his son, who has served as chief minister of Odisha since 2000. The Patnaik name is widely associated with Odisha’s political sphere due to the prominence of this family, though many individuals bearing the surname have distinguished themselves in fields such as academia, business, and the arts.

Variant spellings in English transliteration include Patnaik and Patnayak. The surname appears across Odia-speaking communities in India and abroad.

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