What two Spanish terms traditionally name the female and male attendants in a quinceañera court?

The traditional female and male attendants in a quinceañera court are called damas and chambelanes.

Damas means “ladies,” and chambelanes refers to the male escorts or attendants. Together, they form the court of honor that accompanies the quinceañera during parts of the ceremony, reception, photographs, or choreographed dances.

The size and composition of a court vary. Some celebrations include several attendants, while others have only a few or none. Modern quinceañeras may also use gender-neutral or family-specific arrangements, so the traditional vocabulary does not describe every contemporary event.

Chambelán can have different meanings in other Spanish contexts, including a ceremonial attendant or chamberlain. In quinceañera usage, it usually identifies a young male member of the court. Dama likewise means a female attendant rather than the celebrant herself.