The Spanish noun quinceañera traditionally identifies the female celebrant of a quinceañera.
The term comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” and the feminine ending -añera associated with the person reaching that milestone. In everyday English, quinceañera can also mean the entire celebration, not only the young woman being honored.
Spanish usage distinguishes the honoree from members of the court and from sponsors. A dama is traditionally a female member of the court, while a chambelán is traditionally a male attendant. A madrina is a female sponsor or godmother, not the central celebrant.
Spelling varies in informal English, where quinceanera is sometimes written without the ñ or accent mark. The standard Spanish spelling is quinceañera, with an ñ and an accent on the final a.