The Spanish word dama traditionally names a female member of a quinceañera’s court.
Dama means “lady” in Spanish and is used for one of the young women accompanying the celebrant. A group of them may be called damas. Their roles can include joining the entrance, wearing coordinated formal clothing, and taking part in the court’s dance presentation.
A dama is not the quinceañera herself. The quinceañera is the honoree, while the damas form part of the supporting court. Madrina, meaning godmother or female sponsor, is another distinct role that may appear in the celebration but does not identify every female attendant.
The number of damas is flexible. Older descriptions often connect fourteen female attendants with the fourteen years before the milestone, but families today frequently choose fewer attendants or a different court structure.