A quinceañera’s formal sponsor or godmother is commonly called a madrina.
The word madrina literally means “godmother” or “female sponsor.” In quinceañera planning, madrinas may help pay for or provide important elements such as the dress, cake, flowers, jewelry, or religious items. The exact responsibilities depend on local custom and the family’s arrangements.
Madrinas are not necessarily members of the court. A dama is a female attendant, while the quinceañera is the girl being celebrated. In many families, several women may share sponsoring duties, so the role can be practical as well as ceremonial.
The custom reflects the broader importance of extended family, godparents, and community supporters in Latin American celebrations. Contemporary quinceañeras may retain the title while adapting the role to modern budgets, blended families, or nonreligious ceremonies.