The word goomba in Italian does not exist in standard language but originates from the Italian word compare, which is deeply rooted in the traditions of southern Italy. In small southern Italian towns, compare (or cumpari in dialect) refers to a spiritual and social bond created during events like baptisms or marriages. It was a term reserved for members of the family or close friends who took on the role of godfather or witness in these ceremonies.
When a man became a godfather (padrino) to a child, the families of the godfather and the child would address each other using the term compare. This bond went beyond friendship; it signified a relationship of mutual respect, responsibility, and often lifelong support between the families. The title compare indicated a formal connection, often akin to a family relationship, and not simply a casual friendship.
Over time, especially in Italian-American communities, compare was anglicized to goombah or goomba, and it came to be used more loosely to mean a close friend or associate. However, the original southern Italian usage had much deeper social and spiritual significance.