Mitchum is an American name of Welsh origin, derived from the name Mitchell. It means 'like' or 'resembling'. Mitchum has been traditionally more popular as a surname than as a given name. In recent years, however, it has started to appear more frequently as a first name for boys in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Some notable figures with this name include American actor Robert Mitchum (1917-1997), known for his roles in classic films like "The Night of the Hunter" and "Cape Fear".
The name Mitchum appears to have been moderately popular over the years, with a noticeable peak in the mid-1980s when it was consistently among the top choices for newborn girls each year during that period. However, its popularity has since declined, as indicated by the absence of any births recorded under this name after 1989.