What is the English name for the girl honored at a quinceañera?

The girl honored at a quinceañera is called the quinceañera. The same Spanish word is also widely used in English for the fifteenth-birthday celebration itself.

The term comes from quince, the Spanish word for fifteen. In Spanish, the feminine ending identifies the female celebrant, while quinceañero can refer to a male celebrant in versions of the tradition adapted for boys.

A quinceañera may be called by different names in different regions and families. Some communities use quince años, literally “fifteen years,” for the celebration, while others use quinceañera for both the honoree and the event. Context usually makes the meaning clear.

The term does not describe a particular dress, dance, religion, or venue. Those elements vary considerably. A celebration may include a church service, a court of attendants, formal dances, speeches, a meal, or none of these in exactly the traditional form.