What Spanish word commonly names the girl who celebrates a quinceañera?

The Spanish word commonly naming the girl who celebrates the event is quinceañera.

The term comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” combined with a feminine form associated with a girl or young woman. In everyday English, quinceañera can also refer to the entire celebration, not only to its guest of honor. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

The event developed into a major family ritual in many Latin American cultures and in Latino communities elsewhere. A quinceañera may involve relatives, friends, music, food, formal clothing, photographs, and a carefully planned reception. Religious elements are important for some families but are not required for every celebration.

The masculine term quinceañero is also used for a boy’s fifteenth-birthday celebration or for a male celebrant, though usage differs by region. Spelling and pronunciation can vary in English-language writing, but quinceañera with the ñ is the standard Spanish form.