Madrina is a title often given to an adult woman who serves as the quinceañera’s principal sponsor. The word means godmother or female sponsor, and a madrina may help with planning, expenses or ceremonial support.
Many celebrations have several padrinos and madrinas, each associated with an item or cost such as the dress, cake, music or religious accessories. Their roles are based on family and community relationships, not on a single universal rule. Some families choose close relatives; others choose family friends.
A madrina is different from a dama. A dama is a young woman in the court of honor, while a madrina is generally an adult sponsor. Likewise, a chambelán is a male court attendant. Terminology can vary by country, but these distinctions are common in Spanish-speaking quinceañera contexts.