The Spanish noun “quinceañera” names the traditional female honoree at a quinceañera.
The word combines quince, meaning “fifteen,” with the suffix -añera, which relates to years or age. In ordinary Spanish usage, it can identify a girl who is turning fifteen as well as the celebration associated with that birthday. The masculine counterpart is quinceañero, a term used for a boy celebrating his fifteenth birthday.
English-language discussions sometimes use quinceañera only for the party, but the word can refer both to the celebrant and, by extension, to the event. The celebration is especially associated with Latin America, Spain-influenced communities, and Latino families in the United States.
The term should not be confused with quince años, the phrase literally meaning “fifteen years,” or with the name of a Catholic thanksgiving Mass that may accompany the celebration. Customs vary widely by family, country, religion, and budget.