The Spanish name commonly referring to the girl or young woman honored at the celebration is quinceañera.
The word is feminine and is connected to quince años, “fifteen years.” In everyday usage, quinceañera can refer either to the honoree or, by extension, to the celebration itself. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
The term is widely used in Spanish-speaking communities and in English-language discussions of the tradition. Spelling commonly preserves the ñ and the accent mark: quinceañera.
A quinceañera is not the same as a madrina, who may be a sponsor or godmother, or a dama, who may be a female member of the court. Those roles support the event but do not name its central honoree.