Where is 岙 commonly used?

Primarily in place names in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, especially in coastal and island regions.

Is 岙 used in personal names?

Rarely used in personal names as it's primarily a geographical term. When used, it might reference one's place of origin.

While 山 means mountain generally, 岙 specifically refers to the hollow or basin between mountains, not the mountains themselves.

岙Tone 4

ào ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 山

A mountain hollow or basin;

a depression between hills;

used primarily in place names, especially in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.

A mountain hollow or basina depression between hillsused primarily in place names, especially in Zhejiang

Mountain hollowVillage in a hollowValley villageXiatian'ao place nameXue'ao place nameMao'ao place name

Primarily a topographical term used in place names, especially in coastal regions of Zhejiang and Fujian.
Reflects the settlement patterns in mountainous southern China where villages were often built in sheltered valleys.
The character is relatively rare in modern usage outside of specific geographical contexts.