What is the traditional Spanish name for a quinceañera’s formal court?

The traditional Spanish name for a quinceañera’s formal court is corte de honor.

A corte de honor, or court of honor, consists of friends or relatives who accompany the quinceañera during formal parts of the celebration. Members may take part in the entrance, choreographed dances, photographs, and other presentations.

The court traditionally includes damas and chambelanes, terms commonly used for female and male members respectively. The exact size is flexible, however, and many modern celebrations use a smaller court, a mixed group of friends, or no court at all.

The court should not be confused with the quinceañera herself. Nor is it a legal or governmental body; “court” is ceremonial language describing the group’s honorary role. Its use reflects older presentation and debut traditions, while contemporary families often adapt the format to suit the honoree’s friendships and the event’s style.