What is the name of the birthday celebrant at a traditional quinceañera?

The birthday celebrant at a traditional quinceañera is called the quinceañera.

In Spanish, quinceañera is the feminine form associated with a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday. English-language usage often uses the same word for both the celebrant and the celebration itself, although the event may also be called a quince años or fiesta de quince años.

Other terms describe people who participate in the event. Damas are female attendants, while chambelanes are male attendants in many traditions. Madrinas and padrinos are sponsors or honored adult supporters, depending on the family’s customs.

Because terminology varies across Spanish-speaking regions, not every quinceañera has the same court or sponsor system. The central idea remains the celebration of the celebrant’s fifteenth birthday and her connection to family and community.