The honoree of a traditional girl’s fifteenth-birthday celebration is called a quinceañera.
The same word is also widely used for the celebration itself. Its root, quince, means 15 in Spanish, so the term directly points to the milestone birthday. In English-language communities, spelling and pronunciation may vary in informal use, but quinceañera is the standard Spanish form.
The word should be distinguished from names for other participants. A madrina is commonly a female sponsor or godmother, a dama is a member of the girl’s court, and a chambelán is traditionally a male escort or court member. These roles support the event but are not the honoree.
Traditions have changed as families have adapted the celebration to different countries and generations. Some quinceañeras include a formal church service and court, while others center on a party, cultural identity, or family gathering. The title still identifies the young woman whose fifteenth birthday is being marked.