The Spanish title commonly given to a quinceañera’s male sponsor or godfather is padrino.
Padrino literally means “godfather,” and it is the masculine singular form of padrinos. In quinceañera customs, padrinos may be relatives, family friends, or other trusted adults who help sponsor expenses, provide ceremonial items, or offer spiritual and practical support. Their exact responsibilities differ from one family and country to another.
A female sponsor is commonly called a madrina. Together, padrinos and madrinas are often described as sponsors or godparents. They may contribute items such as the dress, cake, Bible, rosary, or jewelry, although no fixed list applies to every celebration.
Padrino is distinct from chambelán. A chambelán is traditionally a young male attendant in the court, while a padrino is generally an adult sponsor or godfather. Modern families may use these roles more flexibly than historical descriptions do.