A novel template synthesis of bone-shaped (dumbbell-shaped, dogbone-shaped) nanomaterials is demonstrated. Porous anodic alumina (PAA) templates with uniform nanochannels were fabricated using a four-step anodization process and used to form bone-shaped carbon nanostructures with stem and end diameters and lengths of 40 nm, 70 nm, and 5 μm, respectively. These nanomaterials, which we refer to as bone-shaped T-CNTs (templated carbon nanotubes), have potential application in nanocomposites, where improved strength and toughness through mechanical interlocking is anticipated.