In a traditional quinceañera, the celebration’s sponsors are commonly called padrinos.
Padrinos is the plural of padrino, meaning godfather or sponsor; madrinas is the corresponding feminine plural or a group of female sponsors. Padrinos may help pay for important parts of the celebration, such as the dress, cake, music, or religious ceremony.
The role is cultural rather than a single universally standardized office. Families may choose several padrinos, and some modern celebrations use sponsors for particular expenses instead of assigning one couple to the whole event.
Padrinos should not be confused with chambelanes or damas. Those terms describe members of the celebrant’s court, while padrinos are adult supporters or sponsors. Terminology and responsibilities vary by country, family, and religious tradition.