| Religion |
Is there a godparent role? |
Who can be a godparent? |
How many can there be? |
| Catholic |
Yes, godparents participate in a Catholic baby's baptism. |
Of the two grandparents, at least one must be a practicing Catholic. The other must be a baptized Christian. |
Traditionally two |
| Earth-based |
Yes, many Pagans and Wiccans use a Goddess-mother and Goddess-father, or Motherguide and Fatherguide, in their baby-naming rituals. |
Anyone whom the parents choose can have a special relationship with the baby throughout childhood. |
One or two |
| Eastern Orthodox |
Yes, godparents sponsor children at baptism and Chrismation. |
Godparents must be members of the Orthodox faith. |
Traditionally two |
| Episcopalian |
Yes, Episcopalian babies have godparents or sponsors who participate in the baptism ceremony and in their religious development. |
Godparents can be of any denomination, as long as they are baptized. Often, Episcopalians choose two godparents of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. |
One or more |
| Hindu |
Although Hinduism does have a baby-naming ceremony, called the Namakarana, to mark a baby's entry into the Hindu faith, there is no godparent equivalent in this ceremony. |
| Jewish |
Though there is no official godparent role, many parents choose a kvatter and a kvatterin (usally a husband and wife) to give the baby to the mohel (trained specialist in circumcision) or a sandak to hold the baby during circumcision. |
Anyone chosen by the parents can act as the kvatter, kvatterin, or sandak. They are usually close family members or friends. |
One or more |
| Lutheran |
Yes, sponsors, often called godparents, participate in the baptism of babies or adults. They also assist the integration of the child into the community of faith. |
Sponsors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America should be involved in a Christian community. The Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod requires its sponsors to be "of the same confession of faith." |
One or more |
| Methodist |
Yes, godparents aid in baptism of infants. |
Godparents should be a member of the church and should help ensure the child is raised Christian. |
No specifications |
| Muslim |
There is no godparent equivalent in Islam. |
| Presbyterian |
Though their use is rare, Presbyterians can choose baptismal sponsors to witness the baptism and mentor the child. |
Parents should choose someone from the same church who is committed to raising the child in the Christian tradition. |
No specifications |
| Unitarian Universalist |
Yes, sponsors play a role in an infant's or child's ceremony of dedication. |
Anyone chosen by the parents can be a sponsor. The sponsor or sponsors take on a spiritual leadership and guidance role. |
Traditionally two |
