In a traditional quinceañera, chambelán commonly names a male attendant in the court.
The Spanish plural is chambelanes. A chambelán may accompany the honoree during the entrance, formal presentation, and choreographed dances. The role is ceremonial and social rather than a legal or religious office.
The female attendants are commonly called damas, creating the familiar court structure of damas and chambelanes. Families may choose different numbers of attendants, and modern celebrations can alter the traditional gender arrangement.
Chambelán is sometimes confused with padrino. A padrino is a sponsor or person who helps support a specific part of the celebration, while a chambelán is an attendant who participates in the court. One person could have a family connection to the honoree, but the terms describe different roles.