Fukada

Fukada is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a toponym. In most cases it is written with the characters 福田 and is read Fukuda or Fukada, the choice depending on family history and regional pronunciation. The same kanji can yield multiple romanizations, reflecting different readings of 田 (ta/da).

Etymology and meaning: The kanji 福 means "good fortune" or "blessing" and 田 means "rice field." Together they convey a toponymic origin, typically referring to a "fortunate field" or a fertile estate from which a family took its name.

Usage and distribution: Fukada is widely found in Japan, and can be found among Japanese communities abroad. As with many Japanese surnames, the reading Fukada tends to be less common than Fukuda but is established and recognized.

Place name usage: In addition to surname use, Fukada occasionally appears as a place name or part of a geographic designation in Japan, though such instances are relatively uncommon compared with surname use.

Notable bearers and related names: The surname is shared by many individuals across sports, academia, arts, and public life. For references to particular people, see individual biographical entries. Related surname Fukuda is more common and may be encountered in similar contexts.