In quinceañera customs, padrinos commonly means the celebrant’s sponsors or benefactors.
Padrinos are people who support the celebration financially, practically, or ceremonially. A family may ask relatives, close friends, or godparents to sponsor specific items such as the dress, cake, music, venue, or religious accessories. The exact duties differ widely by family and country.
The feminine form is madrinas, while padrinos can refer to a male sponsor or to a mixed or general group. In English, the pair is often translated as godparents or sponsors, but the relationship is not always a formal religious godparent relationship.
Padrinos should not be confused with chambelanes and damas. Those terms describe members of the court who accompany the quinceañera, while padrinos provide support behind the celebration.