Quinceañera is the Spanish word used for the female celebrant and for her traditional fifteenth-birthday celebration.
The term comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” combined with a feminine form associated with a young woman. In ordinary English usage, quinceañera can mean either the girl reaching the milestone or the event held in her honor.
A male counterpart is sometimes called a quinceañero, although customs and terminology vary by country and family. The feminine term became especially familiar internationally through Mexican and broader Latin American traditions.
The word is often written with an ñ. That letter matters in Spanish pronunciation and spelling, although English-language publications sometimes omit the accent mark or use simplified spellings. Quinceañera should not be confused with madrina or padrino, terms for female or male sponsors involved in some celebrations.