What Spanish term refers to a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday?

A girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday is called a quinceañera in Spanish.

The word is formed from quince, meaning fifteen, with the feminine ending -añera. In common English usage, quinceañera can also refer to the celebration itself. Spanish usage may additionally use shorter terms such as quince or fiesta de quince años.

The quinceañera is the central figure in a celebration that often includes family, friends, formal clothing, music, dancing, and symbolic rituals. A court of honor may accompany her, but court members are not quinceañeras themselves unless they are independently celebrating their own fifteenth birthdays.

The term describes a cultural role and milestone, not a specific nationality or religion. Quinceañeras are held in many countries and communities, and their customs differ considerably. Some are elaborate formal events, while others are small family gatherings. The shared feature is the celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday and its transition symbolism.