Godparent
A godparent, in Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather and a female godparent is a godmother.
Traditionally, the godparents were counted informally responsible for ensuring that the child's religious education was carried out, and for caring for the child should it be orphaned.
A godparent may be related to the child, such as an uncle or an aunt, or may simply be a friend of the family. Usually someone very close to the family is chosen; in some cultures, the word for "godparent of one's child" is used for any, or certain, very close friends. This is the meaning of the Spanish compadre and comadre, the French commère and compère, and the archaic meaning of the English word gossip (from godsib, "god-sibling").
See also: The Godfather, a novel and movie.
