The adult sponsors who help support a quinceañera are traditionally called padrinos.
Padrinos is the plural of padrino, a Spanish word meaning male godfather or sponsor. Female sponsors may be called madrinas, and families may use both terms for people who help with the celebration, religious observance, or symbolic gifts. Their role can be practical, financial, ceremonial, or a combination of these.
The term does not refer to the young attendants who perform in the court. Those participants may be called damas and chambelanes, depending on their roles and the family’s preferred terminology. This distinction matters because quinceañera vocabulary differs across regions and communities.
In contemporary celebrations, sponsors may be relatives, family friends, or godparents. There is no single universal list of duties or gifts. A parish or event planner may describe roles differently, so the meaning is best understood as supportive sponsorship rather than a fixed office.