What is Random Name Picker?

Random Name Picker selects a random entry from any list of names you provide. Great for classroom drawings, raffle winners, team assignments, or deciding who goes first in a game night.

Paste a list with one name per line — the picker uses the WebCrypto random generator so draws are fair and not pseudo-random. By default each winner is removed from the pool so nobody wins twice; flip on 'Allow repeats' to keep everyone in for re-rolls. Switch to Make Teams to split the whole list into even, colour-coded groups in one click, and a history panel keeps the last several picks so you can prove the draw order if anyone asks.

How to use

1. Step 1 — Enter names one per line, or paste a pre-existing list.
2. Step 2 — Click the pick button to randomly select a winner.
3. Step 3 — Winners drop out of the pool automatically so the next draw skips them, or switch on 'Allow repeats' to leave everyone in. Hit Reset any time to restore the full list.

When to use

• Teachers picking which student presents next without favouring the front row.
• Drawing a winner from a comment-section giveaway after exporting the names.
• Deciding the order of speakers at a stand-up meeting or party game.

Result

Paste a class roster of 30 student names and randomly pick 5 for a group presentation.

FAQ

Is the draw actually random or just shuffled the same way each time?

Each pick calls crypto.getRandomValues, the same source used to generate cryptographic keys on this device. It's high-entropy random, not a fixed shuffle, so two consecutive picks of the same list will normally land on different names.

How do I draw several unique winners in one go?

Set 'How many winners' to the number you need before tapping Pick. The picker shuffles the live pool and pulls that many unique names in a single draw, no duplicates — useful for team draws, prize tiers, or class groupings. By default each winner leaves the pool so the next draw skips them; switch on 'Allow repeats' if you'd rather everyone stays in for another shot.

Is there a limit on how many names I can paste in?

There's no hard limit set by the tool. Pasting a few thousand names stays responsive on most devices. If you're picking from 10,000+ entries, the textarea may lag while typing but the pick itself still runs instantly.

Can I see who got picked earlier in the session?

The history panel logs every pick with a timestamp during the current session. Refreshing the page clears it, so if you need a permanent record for prize draws, screenshot the panel right after the final draw.

Will duplicate names in my list change the odds?

Yes. The picker treats every line as a separate entry, so if 'Alice' appears three times she's three times more likely to be picked. Run the list through a dedupe step first if you want equal odds for everyone.

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