The Spanish word quinceañera names the girl being honored at a traditional fifteenth-birthday celebration.
The term comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” and añera, a form connected with years or age. In everyday usage, quinceañera can refer to the celebrant, the ceremony, or the entire event, depending on context. The celebrant may also be called the quinceañera de honor.
The celebration is not identical everywhere. In some regions, a religious Mass precedes the party; in others, the event is primarily a family and community gathering. Formal clothing, a court of honor, a special dance, and symbolic gifts are common possibilities rather than universal requirements.
The masculine counterpart is quinceañero, though quinceañera celebrations have historically been more widespread. Modern families sometimes adapt the tradition to include boys, same-sex couples, secular ceremonies, or themes that reflect the celebrant’s own background.