Fannie Mae

American  

Or Fanny Mae

noun

1. Federal National Mortgage Association.

2. any of the publicly traded securities collateralized by a pool of mortgages backed by the Federal National Mortgage Association.

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Fannie Mae British  

/ ˈfænɪ meɪ /

noun

1. (in the US)an informal name for the Federal National Mortgage Association, a private company that buys and sells mortgage debt

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Etymology

Origin of Fannie Mae

Altered from FNMA, the association's initials

Compare meaning

How does fannie-mae compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Ginnie Mae vs. Fannie Mae

Example Sentences

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also offer programs that allow borrowers to qualify using Social Security and pension income, provided they meet the lender’s usual credit and underwriting requirements.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

One solution could be to give the government-sponsored housing enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, an expanded role in lowering the price of construction loans for apartment buildings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Mr. Pulte, a housing scion, at least had some qualifications to regulate the government housing giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares fell following the announcement.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

I lived with my Aunt Fannie Mae until I was six.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson