In quinceañera terminology, quinceañero is the Spanish word for a boy celebrating his fifteenth birthday.
The feminine form, quinceañera, is much more widely recognized because the tradition has historically centered on girls’ transition at age 15. Spanish nouns and adjectives often change form according to gender, producing quinceañero for a male celebrant and quinceañera for a female celebrant.
A quinceañero celebration may borrow many features associated with a quinceañera, such as formal clothing, family participation, dancing, and a reception. The exact format depends on the family and community rather than on a single universal rule.
The term should not be confused with quince años, which literally means “fifteen years” and can describe the birthday or the celebration more generally. In English-language usage, quinceañera is also commonly used for the event itself.