What the random name picker does
This is a fair, in-browser name drawer for classrooms, giveaways, meetings and games. Paste a list of names and choose one of four modes:
- Pick a winner: draw one name, or several different names at once, from the list.
- Shuffle list: put every name into a random order, for example for presentation or speaking order.
- Teams: split everyone into a chosen number of teams, with team sizes differing by at most one.
- Groups of N: split everyone into groups of a chosen size, such as pairs or groups of four.
Draws use crypto.getRandomValues with rejection sampling, so every entry has exactly the same chance unless you give it extra weight.
How to pick a random name
- Paste or type the names, one per line or separated by commas. Press Load a sample class to try it with a demo list.
- Choose Pick a winner and set how many names to draw.
- Press Pick a name. With Remove picked names on, each winner is taken out of the list so the next click draws from the rest; Restore removed puts them back.
- Copy the result, export it, or use Copy link to reopen the same list later.
Random name picker for teachers and classrooms
Keep the class list in the box and click once per question to call on a student. Because picked names are removed, every student gets a turn before anyone is called twice, and the pick history below the result shows who has already gone. Use Shuffle list to set a presentation order in one click, or Groups of N to make lab pairs or reading groups.
Giveaways, raffles and weighted entries
For a giveaway, paste every entrant and pick the number of winners you need; the same person can never win twice in one draw. If some entrants have more than one ticket, add a weight after the name: Priya x3 or Priya *3 gives Priya three chances in a single draw while still letting her win only once. Keep the result on screen or export it as CSV as a record of the draw.
Random team generator from a list of names
Choose Teams, set the number of teams, and the picker shuffles everyone and deals them out like cards, so a list of 23 split into 4 teams gives teams of 6, 6, 6 and 5. Groups of N works the other way round: set the group size and it creates as many groups as needed, with the last group taking the remainder.
Frequently asked questions
Is the random name picker fair?
Yes. Each draw uses the browser’s cryptographic random number generator with rejection sampling, so every entry has the same probability of being chosen unless you give it extra weight with x2, x3 and so on.
Can I pick more than one name at once?
Yes. Set How many to the number of winners you need, up to 100. The names in a single draw are always different from each other.
How do I stop the same name being picked again?
Keep Remove picked names from the list switched on. Each winner is removed from the box after the draw, so later draws only use the names that are left. Press Restore removed to put them all back.
Can I split a list of names into random teams?
Yes. Choose Teams and set the number of teams, or Groups of N and set the group size. Names are shuffled first, and team sizes differ by at most one person.
Is my list of names saved or uploaded?
The list never leaves your browser. It is kept in this browser’s local storage so it is still there when you come back, and Clear removes it.
How do weighted entries work?
Add x followed by a number after a name, such as Sam x3, or use an asterisk, such as Sam *3. That entry gets three tickets in the draw but can still only be picked once per draw.