If you’re planning to travel to Latin America, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the region’s customs and traditions. And one of those customs is godparents or padrinos in Spanish.

The word “padrino” comes from the Latin word “pater,” meaning father. In Latin American culture, godparents are typically chosen by parents when their children are baptized in church at birth. The godparents serve as role models for their godchildren and help guide them through life.

In some countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, there is no specific official ceremony for naming a child’s godparents. In other countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico, however, there is an official ritual that must be followed when choosing a child’s godparents. In Spain, there is also an official ritual for choosing one’s padrinos but it differs from country to country within Spain itself.

Last modified: November 17, 2022