The Spanish term quinceañera names the girl honored at a traditional fifteenth-birthday celebration.
The term is feminine and is formed from quince, meaning fifteen, with a suffix referring to a person associated with that age. In everyday usage, quinceañera can also refer to the entire event, especially in English-language discussions of the tradition.
The celebration has several regional names and spellings. Quince años, meaning “fifteen years,” is widely used, while quince and fiesta de quince años are also common. English speakers may use quinceañera for both the honoree and the party, although context usually makes the meaning clear.
The word should not be confused with madrina, which means godmother or female sponsor, or with chambelán, a male member of the ceremonial court. Those people may have roles in the event, but neither term names the birthday celebrant.