What Spanish term traditionally describes the boys in a quinceañera court?

The Spanish term traditionally used for the boys in a quinceañera court is chambelanes.

Chambelanes are male attendants who may accompany the quinceañera during her entrance, formal dances, photographs, and other parts of the celebration. They are commonly friends, cousins, siblings, or other relatives. Their coordinated formalwear helps create the event’s ceremonial presentation.

The female attendants in the court are traditionally called damas. Together, the damas and chambelanes form the court of honor. Terminology can vary by region, and many families adapt the roles to fit modern social customs and the people taking part.

Chambelanes are sometimes mistaken for mariachi musicians because both terms can appear in descriptions of Mexican celebrations. They are not the same: chambelanes are attendants, while mariachis are musicians in a performance tradition. A quinceañera may include either group, both groups, or neither.