The Spanish word often used for a male quinceañera sponsor or supporting adult is padrino.
Padrino literally means “godfather,” but in quinceañera planning it can also refer to a male sponsor who helps provide money, goods, or services. The female form is madrina. Sponsors may contribute to clothing, decorations, music, the cake, or other parts of the celebration.
The practice reflects broader Latin American traditions of padrinazgo, in which relatives or trusted community members support important family and religious events. The exact responsibilities are negotiated by each family and are not identical everywhere.
A padrino is different from a chambelán. A chambelán is a male attendant who participates in the court, while a padrino supports the event. One person could potentially have both kinds of involvement, but the words describe different functions.