E. Rossoni considers that this surname would derive from a nickname of Greek origin, based on the term tropè, with the meanings of "flight", "change" or "perforation". He places it as a practically unique surname, typical of the Reggio Calabria area.

G. Rohlfs offers a different etymology: he classifies it as a surname of Greek-Byzantine origin, a sister form of Tropepe, and links it to the Greek Θεοπρεπῆς, meaning "worthy of God". He documents it in the province of Cosenza —specifically in Amantea and San Lucido— and in the province of Reggio Calabria. Rohlfs also refers to the surname Tripepi as a related form.

Both authors agree on the Greek origin and on the Calabrian presence of the surname, but differ in the etymological root proposed: Rossoni points to tropè as an appellative base, while Rohlfs connects it with a name of Greek-Byzantine tradition of religious meaning.