A godmother or godfather is a person who assumes responsibility for a minor in the event that something happens to the person's parents. Put simply, when a child is born, the parents often choose a godfather (and godmother) for the child. A godfather is often a male relative or close friend of the family who makes a promise that, if one day, both of the child's parents pass away (die) before the child turns 18, then the godfather will look after the child.

significa padrino