A male escort who may dance with the honoree in a traditional quinceañera is called a chambelán.
A chambelán can be part of the court of honor and may participate in the formal entrance, the choreographed waltz, and other dances. The quinceañera may have one principal escort or several chambelanes, depending on the family’s chosen format.
The term is associated with the Spanish word for a gentleman attendant or chamberlain. In quinceañera usage, it does not identify a priest, sponsor, or legal official. Those roles have different names and responsibilities.
Contemporary celebrations frequently adapt the tradition. Some honorees choose a mixed-gender court, a group of close friends, or no formal court at all. The word remains widely recognized in descriptions of the classic presentation ceremony.