In a traditional quinceañera court of honor, the participating girls are called damas.
The Spanish noun dama means “lady,” and damas commonly serve alongside the male members of the court during the formal entrance, choreographed dances, and other public parts of the celebration. The court is usually made up of friends, relatives, or classmates chosen by the honoree.
Damas are not the same as madrinas. Madrinas are female sponsors or adult supporters who may help provide particular items or services for the event. The roles can overlap in family practice, but the words identify different relationships to the celebration.
The size and composition of a court vary widely. Some quinceañeras have a large, traditional court, while others have only a few attendants or no formal court at all. Therefore, damas identifies the role, not a required number of participants.