The Spanish term for a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday in this tradition is quinceañera.
The word combines quince, meaning “fifteen,” with a feminine ending related to quince años, or “fifteen years.” In English, quinceañera commonly refers both to the celebrant and to the entire birthday celebration.
The custom is especially associated with Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Latino communities in the United States. Its format varies widely: some families emphasize a Catholic thanksgiving Mass, while others focus mainly on a reception, formal clothing, music, and family traditions.
A male celebrant is generally called a quinceañero, although usage can differ by country and community. Quinceañera also does not mean that every family follows one fixed ceremony; religious, regional, and contemporary versions coexist.