The Spanish term for the girl celebrated at a traditional fifteenth-birthday ceremony is quinceañera.
The word is the feminine form associated with quince años, meaning “fifteen years.” In English, quinceañera can also refer to the celebration itself, although the person and the event are distinct meanings in Spanish-speaking usage.
The celebration is especially associated with Latin America, Spain-influenced communities, and Latino communities in the United States. Customs differ by country, family, religion, and budget, so there is no single ceremony followed everywhere.
A quinceañera is sometimes confused with a debutante ball or a religious rite. It is primarily a cultural coming-of-age celebration, although many Catholic families include a Mass or blessing. The traditional celebration may also include formal clothing, a court, music, dancing, and family speeches.