Quinceañera is the Spanish word commonly used for the young woman celebrating her fifteenth birthday.
The word is the feminine form associated with quinceañero and comes from quince, “fifteen.” In everyday use, quinceañera can mean either the celebrant or the birthday celebration itself. English-language usage often uses the same word for the event, especially in communities with Latin American or Latino heritage.
The term does not describe one single format. A quinceañera may be an elaborate formal occasion with a church service and reception, or a smaller family gathering. Clothing, music, dances, food, and religious elements vary according to country, family tradition, and personal preference.
A quinceañera should also be distinguished from a quince años celebration, another common Spanish expression for the event. Both expressions refer to the same broad fifteenth-birthday milestone, while local terminology may differ.