Female attendants in a quinceañera court are traditionally called damas.
The word dama means “lady,” and damas usually participate in the celebrant’s entrance, formal photographs, and choreographed dances. They may be relatives, close friends, or other people important to the quinceañera. Their clothing is often coordinated with the celebrant’s theme or colors, although exact styles differ from family to family.
Damas are commonly paired with chambelanes in the court. A traditional court can therefore resemble a formal dance ensemble, with the quinceañera at its center. Many contemporary celebrations use smaller courts, all-female or mixed groups, or no court at all.
Damas are different from madrinas. Madrinas are female sponsors or godmothers who may contribute money, services, or ceremonial items. The terms can overlap socially in some families, but they describe different roles in the standard vocabulary of the celebration.