What Spanish word can refer to the girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday?

Quinceañera is the Spanish word that can refer to the girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday.

The same word is also widely used for the celebration itself, so context determines whether it means the person or the event. This dual usage is common in English-language discussions of the tradition, especially in the United States and Latin America.

The word is feminine and is associated with quince, meaning 15. A male celebrant may be called a quinceañero, although terminology and customs vary by country and family. The celebration is traditionally associated with girls, but contemporary families may adapt the format more broadly.

Quinceañera should not be confused with dama, a female attendant, or madrina, a sponsor or godmother-like role in some celebrations. Those terms describe participants or supporters, not the central celebrant.