In a traditional quinceañera court, a female attendant is commonly called a dama.
The Spanish word dama means “lady,” and damas are the young women who accompany the quinceañera in the court of honor. They may participate in the entrance, formal photographs, and choreographed dances. The singular is dama; the plural is damas.
A court can contain damas, chambelanes, or both. Its composition is flexible, and many contemporary celebrations adapt the traditional arrangement to include close friends and relatives of different genders. Some families omit the court entirely and focus on the honoree’s family.
Dama is sometimes confused with madrina. A madrina is generally a sponsor or godmother who helps provide an item or service, not necessarily a peer attendant in the court. Clothing, court size, and dance roles vary substantially among communities.