What is the celebrant called in Spanish at a quinceañera?

The girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday is called the quinceañera. The Spanish feminine ending identifies the female celebrant, while the word is also widely used in English for the celebration itself.

A quinceañera is usually the central figure in the ceremony and reception. She may wear a formal dress, enter with attendants, participate in a religious service, receive symbolic gifts, and perform a formal dance. These elements are customary rather than mandatory, and families adapt them to their own beliefs and resources.

Other Spanish terms describe different participants. A madrina is a female sponsor or godmother, a dama is a female member of the court, and a chambelán is commonly a male escort or court member. These roles should not be confused with the celebrant.

The related masculine term quinceañero can refer to a boy celebrating his fifteenth birthday, though quinceañera is the much more internationally recognized form. Usage also changes across Spanish-speaking regions and among bilingual families.