Random Name Picker

Pick random names from your list with a fun drumroll animation — perfect for drawings, selections, and fair choices.

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How to Use the Random Name Picker

Select random names fairly and transparently with our name picker tool.

  1. Enter names in the text area, one per line. Paste from spreadsheets or type manually.
  2. Choose how many winners you need (1-10 at a time).
  3. Select options: Remove picked names automatically, or allow duplicates for multiple rounds.
  4. Click Pick Names to see the exciting drumroll animation.
  5. View winners displayed with confetti celebration.
  6. Check fairness stats to see how many times each name has been picked.

Common Use Cases

Classroom: Teachers randomly select students to answer questions, present projects, or participate in activities. The fairness tracker ensures everyone gets equal opportunities over time.

Giveaways & Contests: Run fair drawings for prizes, raffle winners, or contest entries. The transparent selection process builds trust with participants.

Work & Meetings: Randomly assign tasks, choose presenters, select reviewers, or determine turn order in meetings.

Team Selection: Pick team captains, choose who picks first, or select group representatives.

Games & Recreation: Determine who goes first in board games, select players for teams, or choose participants for challenges.

Name Picker Features

Drumroll Animation: Names rapidly cycle on screen before revealing the winner, creating excitement and anticipation.

Multiple Winners: Pick up to 10 winners at once for larger selections or multiple prize drawings.

Remove Picked Names: Automatically removes selected names from the list, perfect for elimination-style selections.

Fairness Display: Tracks how many times each name has been picked across all sessions, ensuring balanced selection over time.

Pick History: Complete history of all selections in your current session for transparency and record-keeping.

Confetti Celebration: Animated confetti celebrates each winner selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the name selection truly random?
Yes. The picker uses JavaScript's Math.random() function to ensure each name has an equal probability of selection. Every name has the same chance regardless of list position.
What's the difference between removing picked names and allowing duplicates?
"Remove picked names" deletes winners from your list after selection. "Allow duplicates" lets the same name be picked multiple times in a single draw (when selecting multiple winners).
How does the fairness tracker work?
The fairness display shows how many times each name has been picked across all selections. This helps ensure balanced selection over multiple uses, especially useful in classrooms.
Can I pick more winners than I have names?
If duplicates are disabled, you can't pick more winners than available names. Enable "Allow duplicates" to pick the same name multiple times.
How do I save my results?
Use the "Copy Winners" button to copy the selected names to your clipboard, then paste them into a document, email, or spreadsheet.
What's the maximum number of names I can enter?
There's no hard limit, but the tool works best with up to 1000 names. The drumroll animation and fairness tracking remain smooth even with large lists.