In a quinceañera, the young woman being celebrated is commonly called the quinceañera.
The term comes from Spanish and is tied to quince años, the fifteenth birthday. In ordinary English conversation, quinceañera also often names the entire celebration, so its meaning depends on context. A sentence may describe the quinceañera’s dress, or it may refer to attending a quinceañera as an event.
Other traditional roles have different names. A dama is commonly a female member of the court of honor, a chambelán is commonly a male escort or court member, and a madrina is a female sponsor or honored adult. Families may use different titles or omit these roles altogether.
The quinceañera is not required to follow one universal script. Religious observance, clothing, dances, court size, and symbolic ceremonies vary across regions and households.