The traditional 15th-birthday celebration for a girl is commonly called a quinceañera.
The term comes from Spanish and is related to quince, meaning “fifteen.” In everyday usage, quinceañera can identify the young woman being honored, the birthday event, or the broader set of customs surrounding it. English-language communities often use the Spanish word without translating it.
The word is feminine because the celebration traditionally centers on a girl’s transition into a new stage of life. A male celebrant may be called a quinceañero, although male coming-of-age celebrations are less standardized and less widespread under that name. Regional vocabulary differs: some communities use quince años, literally “fifteen years,” for the event. These terms describe closely related traditions, but families may choose the label that fits their language and cultural setting.