The Spanish term for relatives or friends who sponsor parts of a quinceañera is padrinos.
Padrinos is the plural of padrino, while madrinas refers specifically to female sponsors. A padrino or madrina may help pay for clothing, flowers, music, the cake, photography, or another part of the celebration. The arrangement depends on the family and community.
The custom connects quinceañeras with the broader Latin American practice of choosing godparents or ceremonial sponsors. In some families, sponsors are close relatives; in others, they are family friends who take on a visible role in the event.
Padrinos are not the same as damas or chambelanes. Those terms identify members of the court, while padrinos describe people who provide financial, practical, or symbolic support. A single celebration may have several pairs of sponsors.