Random name picker

How to use the name picker

1. Paste or type your names, one per line.
2. Set how many winners you want: one, or several.
3. Pick. Copy the result, or pick again for another round.
4. For a draw where everyone must also be matched to a giftee, use the Secret Santa generator instead. A picker chooses people, it does not pair them.

What people use a random name picker for

• Giveaways: paste the entrants and pick one or three winners.
• Who goes first: pick the starter for a board game, a toast, or a white elephant round.
• Chores: pick who takes out the trash, hosts next, or drives.
• Classroom: pick a helper or a reader without playing favorites.
• Meetings: pick who shares an update first, or who writes the notes.
• Gift exchange: pick the person who opens the first present.

Is a random pick actually fair?

It is fair when every name has an equal chance and nothing is skewed by the order of the list. The picker shuffles the list and takes names from the top, so position does not matter. A name pasted twice has twice the chance, so check for duplicates if you meant one entry each.

For a public giveaway, say the rules before you pick, show the list, and pick on screen or on a call. People trust the process more than the tool.

Picking more than one name

When you pick several, each name can win once. If you need ranked picks (first, second, third), pick one at a time, remove the winner from the list, and pick again. If you want two groups, use the team generator.

Making a draw where each person buys for someone? A name picker cannot stop someone drawing themselves. Use a proper draw.

Name picker versus drawing names from a hat

The two are the same idea, but a hat has a live audience and a picker has a result you can copy. For the traditional version online, see draw names from a hat.

Need to match everyone to a gift partner? Hollyhush does the whole draw and sends one link. Create your group, free