In quinceañera traditions, what are the female members of the formal court called in Spanish?

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The female members of a formal quinceañera court are called damas in Spanish.

Damas are usually friends or relatives of the celebrant who take part in the entrance, formal dance, photographs, and other planned portions of the event. Their coordinated dresses help create the court’s ceremonial appearance.

A male court member is often called a chambelán, although terminology and roles vary by region. Some celebrations use a mixed court, a smaller group, or no court at all. These choices reflect family preference rather than a universal rule.

Dama means “lady” in Spanish. It is not the same word as madrina, which generally means godmother or female sponsor. A madrina may help support the celebration, while a dama is typically a member of the ceremonial court.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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