Was the naming of these two entities really just a coincidence?
From what I could dig up Fannie May candies started in Chicago back in 1920.
Fannie Mae (or FNMA) was created by FDR in 1938.
Did FNMA really come up with the Fannie Mae nickname by coincidence or was it a play on the name of the Chicago based company?
FNMA didn’t come up with “Fannie Mae,” the people trading their securities did. FNMA later adopted the nickname officially.
So did the “people trading their securities” come up with it as a play on the candy company name?
Considering that for awhile lotsa ppl referred to the stock of Microsoft (MSFT) as Mr Softee, I’d say yes.
I <3 Fannie May. Trinidads are the best candy in the history of candy.
I was very confused as a child when I’d here that name associated with mortgages.
After they started calling it Fannie Mae, this turned into a cute little game with Freddie Mac, Farmer Mac, Sallie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and I don’t remember what else.
Fannie Mae finally gave in a few years ago and trademarked “Fannie Mae” and started doing business under that name, though their legal name remains Federal National Mortgage Association. (My wife works for FNMA, or, as I like to say, The Big Fannie.)