The quinceañera’s female honor attendant is commonly called a dama. The Spanish word means “lady,” and damas traditionally form the female part of the celebrant’s court.
A dama may accompany the quinceañera during the entrance, formal presentation, photographs, and choreographed portions of the reception. The group can be coordinated through matching dresses or color themes, although the number of attendants and their clothing are determined by the family.
Terminology varies across countries and families. Some celebrations use court members without assigning traditional titles, while others include attendants of different genders or no court at all. A dama is not the same as a madrina. A madrina is generally a sponsor, supporter, or ceremonial godmother, while a dama is an attendant. The distinction matters because the roles involve different relationships and responsibilities, even when one person informally helps with both.