Fukunaga is a Japanese surname. It is a relatively common surname in Japan. The kanji characters used to write Fukunaga can vary, but one common combination is 福永. The character 福 (fuku) means "fortune" or "blessing," and 永 (naga) means "long" or "eternal." Thus, the surname can be interpreted as "eternal fortune" or "long-lasting blessing." While Fukunaga is a surname, it can also refer to individuals who bear this name. Notable individuals with the surname Fukunaga include Cary Joji Fukunaga, an American filmmaker known for his work on "True Detective" and "No Time to Die." There are also many other individuals in Japan and around the world who share this surname, contributing to various fields such as academia, business, and the arts. The prevalence and distribution of the surname Fukunaga are a reflection of Japanese family naming traditions and historical migration patterns. Its geographical distribution within Japan may vary, with certain regions potentially having a higher concentration of families with this surname.