The Spanish term commonly used for an adult female sponsor of a quinceañera is madrina.
A madrina may contribute money, arrange an item or service, assist with planning, or take part in a ceremonial presentation. The specific commitment is negotiated within each family, so there is no single universal list of duties. In some settings, the word also carries the broader meaning of godmother.
Madrina is the feminine counterpart of padrino. Neither word names the young woman celebrating her fifteenth birthday, and neither should be confused with dama, a female member of the court. These distinctions are especially helpful when a formal program lists many participants.
Quinceañera customs have changed as celebrations spread across countries and generations. Some families invite several madrinas for different contributions, while others have no official sponsors. The role remains a cultural and social convention rather than a required part of every fifteenth-birthday celebration.