What Spanish word describes the girl being honored at a quinceañera?

The Spanish word quinceañera describes the girl being honored at the celebration.

In everyday usage, quinceañera can refer both to the celebrant and to the fifteenth-birthday event. The word is feminine and is pronounced differently from the names used for members of the court. A male celebrant may be called a quinceañero, although the quinceañera tradition is more commonly associated with girls.

The term is related to quince, the Spanish word for fifteen, and to the birthday milestone. It should not be confused with quince años, another phrase used for the celebration. Regional vocabulary varies, with expressions such as fiesta de quince años and quinces appearing in different communities.

English-language speakers often use quinceañera as the name of the party itself. That usage is widely established, so the word can identify both the person and the occasion depending on context.