A traditional male court member in a quinceañera is often called a chambelán.
The word comes from Spanish and is commonly used for a male escort or member of the celebrant’s court. Depending on the family and region, a chambelán may participate in the entrance, formal presentations, rehearsed routines, photographs, or other parts of the celebration.
The court itself is optional and has no single worldwide membership rule. Some celebrations include several young men and women, while others feature only one escort or no court at all. Modern families may also choose mixed-gender or nontraditional arrangements.
A chambelán is not the same as the quinceañero, which can refer to a boy celebrating his own 15th birthday in some communities. Nor is he the same as a madrina, a sponsor or godmother. Spanish terminology and spelling can vary in English-language writing, but chambelán is the established term for this traditional male role.