Random Name Picker
Pick random names or winners from your list.
Random Name Picker
Pick random names from a list for giveaways, classroom questions, team assignments or a fair turn order. Paste names one per line or separated by commas, choose how many winners you need and press Generate. Every pick is drawn without repeats unless you allow them, so the same person is never chosen twice in one draw.
How to use it
- Paste or type the names into the box. Empty lines and extra spaces are ignored.
- Set how many names to pick – 1 for a single winner, more for prizes or groups.
- Press Generate. Press again for a new draw; editing the list also redraws instantly.
- Copy the result or download it as a text file to keep a record of the draw.
Ideas
| Situation | Settings |
|---|---|
| Giveaway winner | pick 1, no repeats |
| First, second and third prize | pick 3, numbered |
| Random presentation order | pick everyone, numbered |
| Who answers next in class | pick 1, press Generate for each question |
| Weighted raffle (more tickets, more chances) | list a name several times, turn off duplicate removal |
Fair and private
The draw happens entirely in your browser. Names are not uploaded, stored or logged, which makes the tool suitable for classrooms and company raffles with personal data. Because the randomness comes from the Web Crypto API, results are unbiased and impossible to predict, even for the person running the draw.
Want to split people into teams or pick random numbers instead? Try the Random Number Generator, or roll for it with the Dice Roller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the name picker fair?
Yes. Every name has exactly the same chance. Picks are made with a Fisher–Yates shuffle driven by your browser's cryptographically secure random generator, so the result cannot be predicted or influenced by list order.
How do I shuffle the whole list?
Set How many to pick to the number of names in the list. You get every name exactly once in random order – useful for presentation order, turn order or seating.
What happens with duplicate names?
By default duplicate entries are removed so nobody gets extra chances. Turn off Remove duplicate entries if you want weighted draws – a name listed three times is then three times as likely to win.