The Spanish name for the girl whose fifteenth birthday is being celebrated is quinceañera. The same word is commonly used for the ceremony or party itself, depending on context.
Quinceañera comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” and the feminine suffix -añera associated with the fifteenth year. In English-language usage, the term can describe both the honoree and the milestone celebration.
Other Spanish terms appear within the event but mean different things. A madrina is a female sponsor or godmother, a dama is a member of the girl’s court, and a chambelán is traditionally a male escort or court member.
Regional vocabulary is not completely uniform. Some communities use quince años or fiesta de quince años for the celebration, while quinceañera most specifically identifies the young woman being honored.