Quinceañera commonly describes the young woman celebrating her fifteenth birthday.
In English usage, the same word also refers to the celebration itself. Context usually makes the meaning clear: a person may be called the quinceañera, while the event may be described as her quinceañera. The word is feminine and includes the Spanish ñ.
The term should not be confused with madrina, which commonly means a female sponsor or godmother, or dama, which traditionally identifies a female member of the honor court. Chambelán generally identifies a male court attendant in traditional terminology.
Usage differs across countries and families. Some communities use quinceañero for a male celebrant, while others use broader or locally preferred terms. Regardless of vocabulary, the central milestone is traditionally the fifteenth birthday.