Quinceañero is a Spanish name commonly given to a boy’s comparable fifteenth-birthday celebration.
The term is formed from quince, meaning 15, with a masculine ending. It can refer to the boy celebrating his fifteenth birthday or, depending on regional usage, to the celebration itself. The feminine quinceañera remains far more widely recognized and practiced.
A quinceañero may borrow features associated with quinceañeras, including a formal ceremony, family speeches, special clothing, music, and dancing. The details are not standardized, and many families create a celebration that reflects the boy’s interests rather than copying a traditional court or program.
This term should not be confused with chambelán, which generally identifies a male attendant in a quinceañera court. It also does not mean padrino, the word for a sponsor or supporter. Regional vocabulary can vary, so families may use different descriptions for a boy’s fifteenth birthday.