In the traditional 15-person arrangement, a quinceañera court has 14 damas alongside the honoree.
The court is commonly described as consisting of the quinceañera, 14 young women called damas, and 14 young men called chambelanes. Together with the honoree, the 29 participants can appear in formal entrances, choreographed dances, photographs, and other parts of the celebration. Some families instead use a smaller court, a mixed-gender group, or no court at all.
The number 14 is linked to the idea that the honoree completes a group of 15. That structure is a traditional pattern, not a universal requirement. Regional customs, venue size, budget, and the celebrant’s friendships can all change the lineup.
The Spanish terms also vary in practice. Chambelanes may be called escorts, escorts can be female or male in contemporary celebrations, and English-speaking families may simply call the participants the court.