What is the Spanish term for the girl being celebrated at a quinceañera?

The Spanish term for the girl being celebrated at a quinceañera is quinceañera. The word is formed from quince, meaning fifteen, and the feminine suffix -añera associated with years or age.

In ordinary usage, quinceañera can mean either the celebrant or the birthday celebration itself. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear. In English-language writing, the word is often retained in Spanish because it identifies a specific cultural tradition.

The quinceañera is typically the visual focus of the event. She may wear a formal dress, enter with family or attendants, participate in a religious service, and perform a choreographed dance. These practices are customary rather than universal.

The term should not be confused with quinceañero, the masculine form sometimes used for a boy’s fifteenth-birthday celebration. Spanish usage and local customs can differ, but quinceañera is the established term for the female celebrant.