The common English name for the formal celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday is quinceañera.
The Spanish word refers both to the celebrant and, in common English usage, to the celebration itself. The related phrase fiesta de quince años literally means “party of fifteen years” and is also used in Spanish-speaking communities.
The tradition is especially associated with Latin America and Latino communities in the United States. Its details differ across Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and immigrant communities. A celebration may include a religious service, a reception, a court, formal dances, and symbolic gifts.
Quinceañera is not simply another name for a sweet sixteen. A sweet sixteen is a separate birthday tradition, especially associated with the United States and Canada, while a quinceañera conventionally centers on age fifteen and Spanish-speaking cultural traditions.