In quinceañera terminology, the female attendants in the honoree’s court of honor are commonly called damas.
The word dama means “lady” in Spanish. A quinceañera court may include young women who accompany the honoree during formal entrances, photographs, religious observances, and choreographed dances. Their male counterparts are generally called chambelanes, although regional and family practices vary.
The size and composition of the court are not universal. Some celebrations use a full court, while others include only a few attendants or no formal court at all. The terms damas and chambelanes are especially common in Mexican, Mexican-American, and other Latin American quinceañera settings.
Damas should not be confused with madrinas. Madrinas are usually adult female sponsors or honored helpers, while damas are typically members of the honoree’s youthful court. Exact titles can differ by country and family tradition.