In a quinceañera, chambelanes traditionally means the young men in the ceremonial court.
The chambelanes accompany the honoree during formal entrances, choreographed dances, and other public portions of the celebration. The word is commonly used in Mexican and Mexican-American contexts, although terminology and the makeup of the court vary among countries and families.
A court may also include damas, traditionally young women. Some celebrations use a mixed-gender group, a smaller group, or no formal court at all. Consequently, chambelanes identifies a role rather than a mandatory number of participants.
The term is sometimes confused with padrinos and madrinas. Those words refer to sponsors or important adult supporters who may help organize or finance parts of the celebration. Chambelanes, by contrast, are usually the young male attendants who participate visibly in the ceremony and dances.