In a quinceañera, a male attendant or escort is commonly called a chambelán.
A chambelán may be part of the honoree’s court and can participate in a formal entrance, group choreography, or the traditional waltz. Depending on the family and country, the role may be filled by a relative, friend, or other trusted young person. Some celebrations use several chambelanes rather than one.
The term is not identical to padrino. A padrino is generally a sponsor or godparent-like figure who may help support the ceremony or expenses. Nor is a chambelán necessarily the honoree’s romantic partner; the role is ceremonial and social.
Modern quinceañeras often revise the traditional court. Families may choose an all-female court, a mixed group, or no court at all. Vocabulary and customs also vary by region, but chambelán remains a widely recognized Spanish term for a male member of the formal party.