Quince is a common English nickname for a quinceañera’s formal birthday party.
In Latino communities, families may say they are planning a quince, attending a quince, or celebrating someone’s quince. The shortened term comes from quinceañera and from the Spanish association with fifteen years.
The word is informal and does not replace the longer term in every region. Speakers may instead use quinceañera, quince años, or fiesta de quince años, depending on language, country, and family preference.
Quince should not be confused with “sweet sixteen,” the North American birthday tradition centered on age 16. Both may involve formal clothing and a large party, but they belong to different cultural traditions and mark different ages.