What Spanish word names the traditional quinceañera birthday celebration?

The Spanish word for the traditional fifteenth-birthday celebration is quinceañera.

The term is used in two closely related ways: it can identify the girl reaching age 15, and it can describe the celebration held for her. In English-language usage, quinceañera most often means the complete social and ceremonial event rather than only the birthday girl.

The word comes from quince, meaning “fifteen,” and is connected with the phrase quince años, or “fifteen years.” Spanish spelling uses the ñ, a letter pronounced differently from n. English sources commonly retain the Spanish spelling, though variants such as quinceanera without the accent mark also appear in informal writing.

The celebration is known by related names in different places, including quince años and fiesta de quince años. Local vocabulary does not necessarily mean the ceremony is a different tradition; families often use the term most familiar in their country or community.