A godparent is an adult chosen by a child's parents to take a special interest in the child's upbringing and wellbeing.
Religious context
In Christian traditions, godparents make promises at a baptism or christening to support the child's spiritual development. The Church of England typically requires at least three godparents, at least two of whom must be baptised and confirmed Christians.
Church of England: the actual rule, precisely
Every child should have at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and at least one of the opposite sex. This is separate from the religious qualification — all godparents (not just some of them) should be baptised themselves, and ideally confirmed too, though this isn't always strictly enforced depending on the parish. There's no official maximum, though three or four is usual in practice.
Catholic Church: a completely different rule
The Catholic Church's requirements are notably different from the Church of England's, which is worth knowing if you're comparing the two: Canon Law requires only one godparent at minimum, and a maximum of two — never more. If you choose two, they must be one male and one female. A non-Catholic Christian can sometimes serve as an additional 'witness' alongside a genuine Catholic godparent, but cannot replace the requirement for at least one baptised, practising Catholic sponsor.
Can parents be godparents to their own child?
Yes, in the Church of England, provided the child has at least one other godparent — a parent cannot be the sole godparent.
Non-religious context
Many families appoint godparents or 'guide parents' in a non-religious naming ceremony. In this context, the role is about emotional support, mentorship and a special ongoing relationship with the child.
Legal role
In the UK, being a godparent carries no automatic legal responsibility. Godparents cannot make decisions for the child unless they have also been appointed as guardians in the parents' wills. If you want a godparent to act as guardian, this must be specifically set out in your will.