Quinceañera is the traditional Spanish term for the young woman celebrating her fifteenth birthday.
The noun is formed from quince, meaning fifteen, and the feminine suffix -añera associated with the milestone. In everyday use, quinceañera can also mean the party itself, especially in English. Spanish speakers may use quinceañera for the celebrant and quince años for the celebration.
The quinceañera is the central figure in the event. She may wear a formal gown, participate in a religious ceremony, receive symbolic gifts, and take part in a choreographed dance. These details are not identical everywhere: countries, families, denominations, and generations have shaped the celebration differently.
The term should not be confused with dama, which usually identifies a female member of the celebrant’s court, or madrina, which can mean a sponsor or godmother. Those roles support the event but do not name the birthday celebrant.