Quinceañera is the Spanish term for the girl who celebrates her fifteenth birthday in this tradition.
The noun is formed from quince, meaning “fifteen,” with a feminine ending referring to a girl or young woman. In English, the same word is also commonly used for the celebration itself, although fiesta de quince años is another Spanish name for the event.
Several other Spanish terms appear around the ceremony, which can cause confusion. A madrina is a female sponsor or godmother, a dama is a member of the girl’s court, and a chambelán is commonly a male attendant or escort. Those words describe participants or roles; they do not name the central celebrant. Regional usage and family customs can change the exact titles and responsibilities.