The people who serve as a quinceañera’s ceremonial sponsors are commonly called padrinos.
Padrinos is the plural of padrino, a Spanish word meaning godfather or sponsor; padrinas is the feminine plural form in some usage. Sponsors may help provide religious or ceremonial items, contribute financially, or support the family’s planning, depending on local custom.
The practice is connected to broader Latin American traditions of ceremonial sponsorship, including padrinazgo in religious and family events. A quinceañera may have several sponsors, and the people involved differ from one celebration to another.
Padrinos are not the same as the court. The court consists of attendants who accompany the celebrant, while padrinos are sponsors or supporters. Some events include both groups; others include neither formal role.