The title commonly used for the young men who serve in a quinceañera’s court of honor is chambelanes.
Chambelanes are male attendants who accompany the celebrant. They may take part in the formal entrance, photographs, a choreographed waltz, and other dances during the reception. The singular form is chambelán; the plural form is chambelanes.
Their role is comparable to that of attendants in other formal ceremonies, but the exact number and responsibilities vary. A quinceañera may have several chambelanes, one principal escort, or no male attendants at all. Some modern families use gender-neutral or mixed courts that reflect the celebrant’s friendships.
Chambelanes should not be confused with quinceañeros. A quinceañero is a male celebrant marking his own 15th-birthday celebration, while a chambelán is an attendant at someone else’s event. Padrinos are sponsors or godparents, and damas traditionally refers to female attendants.