What is the honoree of a traditional quinceañera commonly called?

The honoree of a traditional quinceañera is commonly called the quinceañera.

The term is the feminine form associated with a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday. It is also widely used in English to describe the event itself, so context determines whether quinceañera means the celebrant or the celebration. In some communities, the male counterpart is quinceañero.

The quinceañera is usually the visual focus of the event. She may wear a formal gown, participate in a religious service, enter with an escort or court, and perform a choreographed dance. These elements are customary rather than universal; families adapt the celebration to their culture, faith, finances, and personal preferences.

The word should not be confused with madrina, which means godmother or sponsor, or dama, which can refer to a female member of the celebrant’s court. Those people may support the quinceañera, but they are not the honoree.