The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize nano hydroxyapatite (nHAp) in a shorter duration than what conventionally occurs today (over 24 h) through a novel biomimetic approach. Despite the fact that nHAp has a wide range of medical applications and mimics the inorganic phase of natural bone tissue, nHAp synthesis protocols have not been optimized for quick precipitation times to obtain biomimetic nHAp in simulated body fluid (SBF). To overcome these issues, the synthesis of "bone-like" carbonated nHAp was carried out here with optimized concentrations of calcium chloride and disodium phosphate in SBF medium using a non-stoichiometric chemical composition via a biomineralization method. The results suggest that the presently prepared nHAp was "bone-like" B-type carbonated nHAp in nature with traces of Na, Mg, K and Cl. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the formation of nHAp in rod shapes with dimensions of 27 x 7 nm. The optimized shortest incubation time for nHAp synthesis was 3 h. Therefore, the most important finding of the present study was the elucidation that nHAp can be synthesized biomimetically after just 3 h. This can be used as a biomaterial for bone tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.