The Spanish word traditionally describing a male attendant or escort in a quinceañera’s court is chambelán.
A chambelán is commonly part of the court of honor, the group that accompanies the celebrant during formal portions of the event. Depending on local custom, chambelanes may participate in an entrance, posed photographs, choreographed dances, or a formal presentation.
The word is not the name of the birthday celebrant. A male celebrant may be called a quinceañero, while a female attendant is commonly called a dama. A quinceañera’s court can include both damas and chambelanes, although contemporary families often adapt the arrangement.
There is no universal required number of chambelanes, and their clothing and duties vary. Some families use tuxedos or coordinated formalwear; others choose a casual theme or dispense with attendants. These variations affect the event’s style, not the traditional meaning of the term.