 Irpa has been proposed as an earth goddess due to the derivation of her name to a word for "dark brown", but F.R.Schröder has expressed criticism at the notion of concluding that Irpa is an earth goddess based on this evidence.John McKinnell proposes that the Irpa may represent a "dark" aspect of Þorgerðr, in that her name may mean "swarthy," and that the two were probably of contrasting appearance; Irpa being unlucky to name and seen as a troll.