Oh, honey, let me tell you about these nail shape names. It’s a whole thing now, ain’t it? Back in my day, we just filed them down so they wouldn’t snag on nothing. But now, there’s a name for every kind of point and curve. So many names I can hardly keep track.

Fancy Nail Shapes, Huh?
They got all kinds of names, like, I heard one called “stiletto.” Sounds like something you’d wear on your feet, not your hands. And another one, they call it the “coffin” shape. Now, who wants to think about that when they’re getting their nails done? It’s just a flat top with slanted, like, angled sides. Lord only knows why anyone would want that, sounds grim if you ask me. But these young girls, they love it, I guess.
Round Nails Are the Best, I Reckon
Then there’s the “oval” shape. It’s like an egg, you know? Just rounded at the top, not pointy at all. That’s the kind I see most around here. That’s a good shape, that oval. It’s more like what a natural nail looks like. Reminds me of the eggs my hens used to lay, smooth and round. And it won’t get caught on anything, that’s important. Imagine getting a run in your stockings because of a pointy nail!
If you ask me, that round shape, or maybe the oval, that’s the best. It’s simple, it’s clean, and it don’t get in the way. And some say it makes your fingers look longer. I don’t know about all that, but it does look nice, I suppose. But the best nail shape name is no name at all, just a natural looking nail, that’s best.
Square Nails Are Strong, I Guess
They got this other one, they call it “square.” Just like it sounds, flat across the top. Strong, I guess, like a little box on your fingertip. But, oh, them corners, they can be sharp. You gotta watch out you don’t scratch nobody. Not good for kneading dough, neither. I used to have my nails like that, but they kept catching on things.
Then there’s one that’s like square, but with rounded corners. They call it “squoval.” Like a mix of square and oval. That one ain’t so bad. Softer, you know? It’s like they took that square nail and just softened it up a bit. That’s more like it. Still strong, but not so harsh.

- Round: Just like it sounds, all nice and round at the tip.
- Oval: Kinda like an egg shape, longer than it is wide.
- Square: Flat across the top, with sharp corners.
- Squoval: Square, but with the corners rounded off.
- Almond: Pointy, but rounded at the base, like an almond nut.
- Stiletto: Real pointy, like a dagger. Be careful with these!
- Coffin/Ballerina: Long and tapered, with a flat tip. Like a coffin, or a ballerina shoe.
Almond Nails Are Popular Now
Now this “almond” shape, that’s a popular one. It’s pointy, but not too pointy, and it’s rounded at the bottom. Like an almond nut, you see? Lots of the girls like that one. It’s kind of a middle ground, I guess. Not too plain, not too wild. And they say it makes your fingers look longer, too. Like I said before, a lot of these are about making fingers look longer and thinner. Not something I ever worried about, but these young girls always wanting to look different, I suppose.
I saw one girl with nails so long and pointy, I thought she was gonna poke somebody’s eye out! They were all curled over, too. I don’t know how she did anything with them things. But she seemed to like them. They were all painted up pretty, too, with different colors and designs.
So Many Nail Shape Names!
So, there you have it. Nail shape names. More names than you can shake a stick at. I still think the best ones are the simple ones. But hey, to each their own, right? If you want stiletto nails, or coffin nails, or whatever else they come up with, you go right ahead. Just be careful you don’t poke your eye out! Or ruin your good stockings!
Lord, these young folks today and their nail shapes. It’s a whole different world, I tell ya. They got names for everything. And colors! Don’t even get me started on the colors. But that’s a story for another day. Keep your nails clean, that’s what I always say. And don’t get them too long, or you’ll be sorry!