A female attendant in a traditional quinceañera court is called a dama, meaning “lady” in Spanish.
Damas form part of the corte de honor, the celebrant’s court of honor. They may participate in the formal entrance, coordinated dances, photographs, and other ceremonial moments. A quinceañera’s court can include several damas, but the number is not fixed by a universal rule.
The term is different from madrina. A madrina is a female sponsor or godmother who may contribute money, services, or support to the event. Dama identifies an attendant rather than a sponsor.
Some modern families adapt the court to suit their relationships and preferences. They may include friends of different genders, reduce the number of attendants, or replace traditional titles. Nevertheless, dama remains the standard Spanish term for a female member of the traditional court.