Random Name Picker
A random name picker (spin wheel) randomly selects one name from a list with equal probability (1/N chance per name). Common uses: lunch roulette, team leader selection, gift exchange assignments, task distribution. Features typically include: add/remove names dynamically, selection history with timestamps, visual spin animation. Each selection is independent—previous picks do not influence future outcomes. For fair repeated selection, remove picked names or track selections over time.
Spin the wheel to randomly select names from your list. Perfect for team selection, lunch roulette, gift exchanges, and random drawing. Add or remove names dynamically, see selection history with timestamps, and track recent picks. Features animated spin wheel effect and complete activity history showing who was added, removed, and selected.
Add Names
No names added yet
Add names above to start spinning!
How to Use
- Enter your value in the input field
- Click the Calculate/Convert button
- Copy the result to your clipboard
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the random name picker spin wheel work?
- The random name picker uses a cryptographically secure random number generator to select names with equal probability. The spin wheel animation cycles through names rapidly (20-30 iterations) before settling on a random selection. Each name in the list has an equal chance of being picked regardless of position or order. The visual spinning effect is for user engagement — the actual selection is determined by secure randomization, not the animation.
- What can I use a random name picker for?
- Common uses: lunch roulette (decide who picks the restaurant), team leader selection (randomly assign project leads), gift exchange assignments (Secret Santa, White Elephant), meeting facilitator rotation, presentation order selection, random grouping for activities, task assignment distribution, choosing volunteers for activities, fair turn-taking systems, and random prize drawing. Any scenario requiring unbiased person selection benefits from a name picker.
- Can I see who was selected previously?
- Yes, the tool maintains a complete history showing all activity: names added (with timestamps), names removed (with timestamps), and selections made (with timestamps). The "Recent Selections" section shows the last 5 picks for quick reference. The full history tracks every action chronologically, displaying how long ago each event occurred (e.g., "2m ago", "1h ago"). This is useful for tracking patterns, ensuring fairness over time, and documentation.
- Is the name selection truly random and fair?
- Yes, the tool uses JavaScript's cryptographically secure random number generator (crypto.getRandomValues or Math.random) to ensure unpredictable, unbiased selection. Each name has exactly 1/N probability of being chosen (N = number of names). The selection is independent of previous picks — past selections do not influence future outcomes. For maximum fairness in repeated selections, remove selected names from the list or track selections over time to ensure even distribution.
- Can I remove names from the list without losing history?
- Yes, you can remove names at any time by clicking the × button next to a name. Removed names disappear from the active list but remain in the history with a "removed" entry and timestamp. This preserves the complete activity record. If you need to re-add a removed name, simply type it again in the input field. The history shows both the original "added" and later "removed" events for full transparency.
- How do I add multiple names at once?
- Enter names separated by commas (Alice, Bob, Charlie) or place each name on a new line. The tool automatically parses both formats. For example, paste a spreadsheet column (one name per line) or a comma-separated list from a text file. Duplicate names are automatically filtered — if a name already exists in the list, it won't be added again. Names are trimmed of leading/trailing whitespace for clean formatting.