What is the girl honored at a quinceañera called in Spanish?

The girl honored at a quinceañera is called the quinceañera in Spanish.

The term is formed from quince, meaning fifteen, with a feminine ending. In common usage, quinceañera can refer to the celebrant, the party, or both, depending on the sentence and regional convention. English-language writing often uses the word for the girl specifically and “quinceañera” or “quinceañera celebration” for the event.

The celebrant is usually turning 15, although families may hold the event somewhat before or after the exact birthday. Practical scheduling, church availability, school calendars, and relatives’ travel can influence the date.

Other Spanish terms identify different participants. A dama is a girl or young woman in the court, a chambelán is a male attendant, and a madrina is a sponsor or godmother. Those roles are not synonyms for the quinceañera herself.