What word describes the teenager who is celebrated at a quinceañera?

Quinceañera describes the teenager who is celebrated at a quinceañera.

In common Spanish usage, the feminine noun quinceañera refers to a girl or young woman celebrating her fifteenth birthday. English speakers also use the same word for the party itself, so context determines whether it means the celebrant or the event. The accent mark over the ñ is part of the standard Spanish spelling.

The term is related to quince años, meaning “fifteen years.” It therefore identifies the birthday milestone rather than a particular dress, dance, or religious service. Families may organize very different events while still using the same word.

The word should not be confused with quinceañero, a masculine form sometimes used for a boy’s fifteenth-birthday celebration. Usage for boys and the customs surrounding them vary by country and community, whereas quinceañera traditions are more widely recognized.