What is the name for the person celebrating a quinceañera?

The person celebrating a quinceañera is called the quinceañera.

The feminine Spanish noun identifies the young woman whose fifteenth birthday is being honored. In English, the same word is also commonly used for the party itself, so context determines whether it means the celebrant or the celebration.

The term is closely related to quince años, meaning “fifteen years,” and to quince, the Spanish number 15. Together, these terms connect the person, the birthday, and the cultural tradition.

A quinceañera is not the same role as a dama, chambelán, or madrina. Damas and chambelanes are attendants in the court, while a madrina is generally a sponsor or supporter. The quinceañera is the central celebrant whose milestone the event marks.