Madrinas are adult female sponsors who may help support a quinceañera celebration.
The word madrinas means “godmothers,” and in quinceañera usage it can refer to women who contribute money, services, or ceremonial items. A family may ask relatives, family friends, or respected community members to serve in this supportive role. The exact responsibilities depend on local custom and family agreement.
Madrinas may be paired with padrinos, or male sponsors. Together, they can help with expenses such as clothing, decorations, music, photography, or religious materials. Modern families may also pay for the event themselves or use a less formal sponsorship arrangement.
Madrinas are different from damas. Damas are female attendants in the court and are often peers of the honoree. A madrina may appear in photographs or at the Mass, but sponsorship does not automatically make her a court member. Usage also differs from the separate Catholic role of a baptismal godmother.