The traditional Latin American celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday is called a quinceañera.
The word comes from the Spanish quince, meaning “fifteen,” combined with a feminine ending. It can describe both the birthday celebrant and the celebration itself, depending on context. In English-language usage, “quinceañera” commonly refers to the entire event.
A quinceañera often combines a formal party with family customs, music, dancing, and sometimes a Catholic thanksgiving Mass. The celebration is especially associated with Mexico, Central America, South America, Puerto Rico, and Latino communities in the United States. Customs vary considerably by country, family, religion, and budget.
The event is sometimes described as a Latin American coming-of-age tradition, but it is not identical everywhere. Some families emphasize the religious ceremony, while others focus primarily on the reception. The related masculine term is quinceañero, although the quinceañera tradition is much more widely recognized.