The quinceañera celebration is commonly called a quince in shortened Spanish form.
Quince is an informal abbreviation used for the event, especially in everyday conversation and in some English-speaking Latino communities. Depending on the region, families may also use quinceaños or quinceañera, and local vocabulary can differ.
The shortened name does not change the celebration’s central association with a girl’s fifteenth birthday. A quince may include a religious service, a reception, a court of honor, formal clothing, a dance, a meal, and speeches, but no single list of components is mandatory for every family.
The word quince can also mean the number fifteen in Spanish, so context matters. In English-language discussion, “a quince” usually means the coming-of-age event rather than the number alone. It should not be confused with quince, the Spanish name for the quince fruit, when the word appears without context.