In quinceañera terminology, what are the male members of the honoree’s court commonly called?

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The male members of a quinceañera court are commonly called chambelanes.

Chambelanes are typically friends, relatives, or classmates who accompany the honoree during formal portions of the celebration. They may participate in a rehearsed waltz or other choreographed dance and usually wear coordinated formal attire.

The term is especially common in Mexican and Mexican American usage, but quinceañera vocabulary differs across Spanish-speaking regions. Some families use alternative terms, change the court's composition, or omit attendants entirely.

Chambelanes should not be confused with padrinos or madrinos. Those terms describe sponsors or godparents who may contribute money, services, or ceremonial items. A person could potentially have both roles, but the words do not mean the same thing.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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