What Spanish word for a fifteenth-birthday celebrant is used for a boy?

Quinceañero is the Spanish word used for a boy celebrating a fifteenth birthday in the quinceañera tradition.

The better-known word quinceañera is feminine. Spanish nouns and adjectives commonly change endings to indicate gender, so quinceañero is its masculine counterpart. Both words connect to quince, the Spanish word for fifteen, and refer to the person being honored rather than to the event’s attendants.

Historically, quinceañera customs have been most strongly associated with girls and a symbolic transition into young womanhood. In contemporary communities, families may adapt the tradition for boys or create celebrations that do not follow a strict gender pattern. The details can include formal attire, a ceremonial entrance, a court, music, dancing, and family participation.

A quinceañero should not be confused with a chambelán. A chambelán is a male member of the court, while the quinceañero is the birthday honoree.