What doll is traditionally given away during a quinceañera ceremony?

The doll traditionally given away during a quinceañera ceremony is called the last doll.

The last doll represents the end of childhood. In one common version of the ritual, the celebrant receives or carries the doll and then gives it to a younger sibling, cousin, or another child. The handoff creates a visible link between the honoree’s childhood and the next generation.

The custom is not practiced at every quinceañera, and its details vary. Some families call the object a quinceañera doll, while others replace the ritual with a different symbolic gift. A doll may also be displayed as part of the decorations without being given away.

The last doll is separate from the changing-of-the-shoes ceremony, which symbolizes a different transition. Both customs are optional and may appear alongside a tiara presentation, a father-daughter dance, or the formal vals.