Godparent

A Godparent is a title denoting someone who is the legally assigned guardian of a child should both parents of the child die. If the assigned parent is male, they are then referred to as the Godfather of the child. If assigned parent is female, then they are called the Godmother. A Godparent may also be somebody who is already related to the child in question, such as an aunt or uncle or an age-approrpriate third cousin once removed.

The term Godfather has another meaning as well. In organized crime culture, Godfather is used to denote someone who is the boss of a criminal organization. In Italian crime families, such as those linked to the mafia, this title is known as Capo di tutti capi. Godfather has been used as the title of a successful film franchise series directed by Francis Ford Coppola that includes, The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II and, yep... you guessed it... The Godfather: Part III. In the beginning of the series, the character of Vito Corleone is presented as the head, or Godfather, of the Corleone crime family. Upon his death in 1955, the position is taken up by his youngest son, Michael Corleone, who then becomes the new Godfather.