The Spanish word for the ceremonial celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday is quinceañera.
The term comes from quince, meaning fifteen, and is used in Spanish-speaking contexts for both the celebrant and the celebration. English-language sources commonly use quinceañera for the entire event, while Spanish usage can distinguish the young woman from the fiesta or celebration itself through context.
The tradition is especially prominent in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Latino communities in the United States. Its details are not identical everywhere. A family might include a church service, a court of honor, a formal dress, a father-daughter dance, a changing-of-shoes ritual, or a reception, depending on local custom and personal preference.
Quinceañera is sometimes written without the ñ as quinceanera when keyboards or publishing systems lack the Spanish letter. That spelling is an ASCII substitute, but quinceañera is the standard Spanish spelling. The word should not be confused with quince, which also names the quince fruit.