In quinceañera vocabulary, dama is the traditional Spanish title for a female court member.
The plural form is damas. These attendants may accompany the quinceañera during the entrance, formal presentation, photographs, and other planned parts of the event. Their clothing and number vary according to regional custom and family preference.
Dama should not be confused with madrina. A madrina is a sponsor or godmother who may help support the celebration, while a dama is part of the honoree’s court. The quinceañera herself is the central celebrant, not one of the damas.
Contemporary quinceañeras often use flexible arrangements. Some courts include attendants of different genders, some use only a few close friends, and some families do not have a court. The title remains a traditional term even when the format is modernized.