Random Name Picker
Paste a list of names and pick one or more at random. Fair, quick draws for classrooms, teams and giveaways. Free and private.
Paste your names one per line, choose how many to pick, and click Pick a name. Repeated names can be ignored or counted, and nobody is picked twice in the same draw. Star the names you like, then copy them or download them as a .txt file. Free, no sign-up.
No Sign-Up, Nothing to Install
Names per Draw
Names Stay in Your Browser
Fair Draws Every Time
Choose your settings, then press the main button. Your results will appear here.
Tap the star beside a result to keep it here. Saved results stay in this browser only.
Private by design: names are picked in your browser using its secure random number generator, and the names you paste are never uploaded. Saved results stay on this device.
How Do You Pick a Random Name?
To pick a random name, paste your list of names into the box, one per line, choose How many, and click Pick a name. The tool draws the names at random, and no name is picked twice in the same draw. The result appears instantly in your results list.
A random name picker is the fairest way to choose people. Teachers use it to call on students, managers use it to pick who presents first, and hosts use it to draw raffle and giveaway winners. Add :2 after a name to give that person two chances, such as an entrant with two tickets.
Names are picked on your own device. The picker uses your browser’s secure random number generator (crypto.getRandomValues), so every name has a fair chance and the names you paste are never sent to Teasoft.
What each draw size gives you:
| Draw size | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 name | One big, clear winner | Calling on a student or picking a winner |
| 2 names | A random pair | Partners, buddies and debate pairs |
| 3 names | First, second and third place | Podium prizes and small groups |
| 5 names | Five different people | Presenters, volunteers or shortlists |
| 10 names | Ten different people | Big giveaways and long turn orders |
Common reasons to use a random name picker
- Calling on a random student in class
- Drawing a raffle, contest or giveaway winner
- Choosing who presents or speaks first in a meeting
- Picking volunteers, helpers or a secret buddy
- Choosing players for a game or a team captain
- Picking a fair winner from a list of entrants
What each control does:
| Control | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Names box | Your list of names, one per line | Paste names from a class list or spreadsheet |
| Sample | Fills the box with sample names | See how the picker works |
| How many | Picks 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 names | Draw several winners at once |
| Duplicates | Ignore repeated names, or Keep repeated names | Keep repeats to give extra entries |
| Pick a name | Draws new names at random | Every time you need a new pick |
| Star | Saves a name to your Saved results list | Keep track of who was picked |
| Copy all | Copies every picked name | Share winners in a chat or email |
| Download .txt | Saves the picked names as a text file | Keep a record of the draw |
| Clear | Empties the names, results or saved list | Start a new draw |
Good to know
- No repeats in one draw. The same name cannot be picked twice in a single draw.
- Repeats can mean extra chances. Choose Keep repeated names to count every line.
- Weights work too. Add :2 after a name to give it two chances.
- Names stay private. Your list never leaves your browser.
- Saved names stay on this device. Copy or download them to use elsewhere.
What You Can Do With This Tool
- Pick names for free. No sign-up, no limits and nothing to install.
- Paste any list. One name per line, from a class list or spreadsheet.
- Pick 1 to 10 names. Draw one winner or a whole shortlist.
- No repeats. Nobody is picked twice in the same draw.
- Handle duplicates. Ignore repeated names or count each one.
- Give extra chances. Add :2 after a name for two entries.
- See a big result. A single winner is shown in large text.
- Try the sample. Load sample names to test the picker.
- Copy one name. Copy any picked name with one click.
- Star your favourites. Save picked names to a list on this device.
- Copy or download. Copy all names or download them as a .txt file.
- Use it anywhere. Works on phones, tablets and desktops in any modern browser.
What Should I Do After Picking a Name?
Once you have your winner, use these free Teasoft tools for your next draw or activity.
How to Pick a Random Name
Add your names
Paste or type your names into the box, one per line. Add :2 after a name to give it two chances.
Choose your settings
Choose how many names to pick and whether repeated names are ignored or kept.
Pick and save
Click Pick a name. Star the names you want to keep, then copy them or download them as a .txt file.
Tip: to pick a winner from social media comments, copy the usernames into a spreadsheet, paste the column into the box and choose Ignore repeated names, so each person counts once no matter how many times they commented.
Which Settings Should I Choose?
| Your goal | Settings | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Call on one student | 1 name | One clear pick |
| Make random pairs | 2 names | Pick partners again and again |
| Draw 1st, 2nd and 3rd | 3 names | Names appear in pick order |
| One entry per person | Ignore repeated names | Fair when people enter twice |
| Count extra tickets | Keep repeated names | More lines means more chances |
| Give set extra chances | Add :2 or :3 | Weights a name without retyping it |
Tips for a fair name draw
- Check the list first. Make sure every name is spelled right and on its own line.
- Decide on duplicates. Agree whether repeated entries count before you draw.
- Draw in public. Share your screen so everyone sees the result.
- Pick backups. Draw extra names in case a winner does not reply.
- Save the result. Download the names as a record of the draw.
After you pick a name
- Announce the winner. Copy the name and share it with your group.
- Make it visual. Spin the same names on the Spin the Wheel for extra suspense.
- Shuffle the order. Put the whole list in random order with the Random Picker from List.
- Name the teams. Find a fun group name with the Team Name Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick a random name?
Paste your names one per line, choose how many to pick, then click Pick a name.
Is the Random Name Picker free?
Yes. It is completely free, with no sign-up, no limits and nothing to install.
Are my names uploaded to a server?
No. Names are picked inside your browser on your own device and are never sent to Teasoft.
Is the name picker fair?
Yes. It uses your browser’s secure random number generator, so every name has an equal chance unless you add a weight.
How many names can I pick at once?
You can pick 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 names in one draw.
Can the same name be picked twice?
Not in the same draw. Each draw picks different names. A new draw starts with the full list again.
What happens to repeated names in my list?
Choose Ignore repeated names to count each person once, or Keep repeated names to give them an extra chance for each line.
How do I give someone more chances?
Add a colon and a number after the name, such as Asha:3, to give that person three chances.
How many names can I add?
You can paste hundreds of names. Put each name on its own line.
Can I paste names from Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Copy a column of names and paste it into the box. Each cell becomes one line.
Can I use it for a giveaway?
Yes. Paste every entrant, choose Ignore repeated names, and pick your winners and backups.
Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It is ideal for calling on students, picking helpers and making pairs.
How do I save the names I like?
Tap the star beside a name. It is added to your Saved results list on this device.
Where are my saved names stored?
In this browser on this device only. Copy them or download a .txt file to use them elsewhere.
Can I download the picked names?
Yes. Click Download .txt to save every picked name as a plain text file.
Does the Random Name Picker work on mobile?
Yes. It works in Chrome and Safari on Android phones, iPhones and tablets.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Everything runs in your web browser.
Which browsers are supported?
It works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and other modern browsers.
About Teasoft’s Random Name Picker
Teasoft’s Random Name Picker is a free online tool that picks one or more names at random from your own list. Ignore or keep repeated names, give extra chances with weights, and draw up to 10 names at a time with no repeats.
It is made for teachers, managers, event hosts and creators who need a fair winner or a quick pick in seconds.
Your names are picked on your device and are never uploaded to Teasoft. Saved results stay in this browser.