The traditional Spanish name for a quinceañera’s male court member is chambelán.
A chambelán is one of the young men who participates in the celebrant’s court, often dancing in the formal vals and appearing in the entrance or presentation. Depending on regional usage, the court may include several chambelanes alongside female attendants. The court’s size and title can vary considerably from one family or country to another.
The word is related to the French-derived term chamberlain, historically associated with a household or court official. In quinceañera practice, however, chambelán generally identifies a ceremonial escort or participant rather than a government officeholder.
Other Spanish family and celebration terms can cause confusion. Padrino means godfather or sponsor, while quinceañero can refer to a male celebrating his own fifteenth birthday. Neither is the standard name for a male member of the quinceañera court.