The traditional Spanish name for a girl celebrating her 15th birthday is quinceañera. The word identifies both the celebrant and, by extension, the birthday celebration associated with her fifteenth year.
Quinceañera is feminine Spanish; the masculine form quinceañero can refer to a boy celebrating a similar milestone. English-language writing often uses quinceañera as the name of the event, while Spanish usage can distinguish between the young woman and the party through context.
The word comes from quince, “fifteen,” and is connected to the phrase quince años, or “fifteen years.” The ñ is important in Spanish spelling and pronunciation, although English-language sources sometimes omit the accent or replace the ñ in informal writing.
A quinceañera may wear a formal dress and take part in a planned ceremony or reception. Customs differ widely, so the word does not prescribe one universal schedule, color, religious observance, or style of celebration.