In Spanish, what number does “quince” in “quinceañera” mean?

In Spanish, “quince” in “quinceañera” means fifteen.

The word quinceañera combines quince, meaning “fifteen,” with a feminine ending related to a girl or young woman. The term therefore identifies both the celebrant and, by extension, the celebration associated with her fifteenth birthday.

The age is important because the event traditionally marks a transition from childhood toward young womanhood. It is not simply a birthday party in every family; many celebrations include formal clothing, attendants, a reception, speeches, music, and sometimes a religious service.

A common mix-up is confusing quinceañera with quince años. Quinceañera usually refers to the girl or young woman, while quince años literally means “fifteen years” and can refer to the celebration. Regional vocabulary varies across Latin America and Latino communities.