Ripponlea is centred on the intersection of Glen Eira Road and Hotham Street. In terms of its cadastral division, Ripponlea is in the Parish of Prahran, within the County of Bourke.
The suburb is named after Rippon Lea Estate (pictured above). After the death of Frederick Sargood in 1903, the estate's original owner, some of his property was subdivided to form the current suburb of Ripponlea.
Since 1909, Ripponlea has been the site of Caulfield Grammar School's senior school.
Ripponlea has the Ripponlea railway station, located on the Sandringham Line.