Madrinas commonly names the adult female sponsors in a traditional quinceañera.
Madrinas is the plural of madrina, a Spanish word meaning godmother or female sponsor. In quinceañera customs, madrinas may help provide ceremonial items, contribute to expenses, or support the family in organizing the celebration. The exact responsibilities depend on local tradition and the family’s arrangements.
Madrinas are different from damas. Damas are usually young women who form part of the celebrant’s court of honor and may participate in a formal dance. Madrinas are generally adult sponsors, although contemporary families may adapt the role or use different names.
The masculine form padrino means godfather or male sponsor, and a celebration may have both padrinos and madrinas. These sponsorship roles are cultural and sometimes religiously connected, but they are not identical to the quinceañera’s attendants. A modern celebration may omit sponsors entirely or involve relatives and friends in less formal ways.