Quinceañero is the traditional Spanish term for a boy honored at a male quinceañera celebration.
The masculine form parallels quinceañera, which traditionally refers to the girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday. Male versions of the celebration are sometimes held for a boy’s fifteenth birthday, although they are less widespread than the traditional girls’ celebration.
The word should not be confused with chambelán. A chambelán is a male attendant or escort in a quinceañera court, whereas quinceañero identifies the principal male celebrant.
Practices differ across Spanish-speaking communities. Some families use quinceañero for the celebrant, while others adapt the event’s format, clothing, court, and religious elements to local customs and family preferences.