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

Immediately on confirmation he was handed a second giant portfolio—chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares fell following the announcement.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy mortgages that they either hold or sell as securities, creating liquidity for the housing market.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Meanwhile, shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-backed mortgage giants, fell after Bill Pulte was appointed acting director of national intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

It was the first time my Aunt Fannie Mae looked frightened.

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