What Spanish word traditionally names the female celebrant at a quinceañera?

The Spanish word traditionally naming the female celebrant at a quinceañera is quinceañera.

The term identifies the young woman whose fifteenth-birthday celebration is being held. In Spanish, the ñ is pronounced separately from n, and the word is commonly translated into English as “quinceañera” rather than replaced by a different title.

The related phrase quince años literally means “fifteen years” and can refer to the celebration itself in several Spanish-speaking communities. In some places, people also use quince or fiesta de quince años. These expressions overlap, but quinceañera most specifically identifies the celebrant.

Usage differs by region and by family. Modern celebrations may include nontraditional venues, music, clothing, or ceremonies, while retaining the name quinceañera for the person at the center of the event.