The traditional Spanish word for a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday is quinceañera.
The term comes from quince, meaning 15, and the feminine ending associated with a young woman. In common English usage, it can mean either the celebrant or the elaborate celebration held for her fifteenth birthday.
The word is related to quince años, the Spanish phrase for “fifteen years.” It should not be confused with madrina, meaning a female godmother or sponsor, or dama, a female member of the court of honor. Those people may participate in the event but are not the honoree.
Spelling and pronunciation can vary in English-language writing, but the ñ is part of the standard Spanish spelling. The tradition itself has many regional forms, so the word identifies the milestone and celebration without prescribing one exact ceremony.