About
Pick a Name is a fair, entropy-backed name picker — built for classrooms, raffles, chores, and any moment where “random” has to mean trustworthy.
What is Pick a Name?
Pick a Name is a simple tool: enter a list of names, press Spin, and get one result. Unlike many browser spinners, the winner is chosen on the server from operating-system entropy before the animation finishes. The reel is the reveal, not the decision.
True random vs everyday “random”
Most websites use a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG): a mathematical recipe that expands a starting value called a seed into a long sequence that looks random. Same seed, same sequence. That is fine for games and visual effects, but it is not ideal when fairness matters — if someone can influence or observe the seed, outcomes can become predictable or reproducible.
A true-random (entropy-backed) system samples unpredictable physical and environmental noise collected by the operating system. That noise seeds and refreshes a strong generator so each draw is not a step in a sequence you can rewind from a known start.
Why server-side picks matter
If randomness runs only in the browser, anyone can inspect the page, tweak scripts, or call the same functions with a chosen seed. Server-side selection keeps the decision off the spectator’s machine. Combined with equal-odds mapping (avoiding naive modulo bias), every name on your list gets a fair chance.
How Pick a Name differs from spin-the-wheel sites
- Outcome is decided on the server, not by the animation alone
- Entropy comes from the host operating system, not a casual client PRNG
- Shareable links carry your list (and history) so groups can use the same draw
- A public API exposes the same fairness model for developers
Frequently asked questions
Is this random enough for a classroom or raffle?
Yes for typical fairness needs: equal odds per name, server-side entropy, and no visible seed for the audience to game. For regulated gambling or cryptographic key generation you would want a purpose-built certified process — Pick a Name is aimed at everyday fair picks.
Can I share my list with someone else?
Use Copy share link on the home page. The URL encodes the current names (and history) so others open the same list without an account.
Does the spinning reel choose the winner?
No. The server chooses first; the reel lands on that result. The motion is for clarity and fun, not for deciding the outcome.
What is a random seed?
A seed is the starting number for a PRNG. If you know the seed and the algorithm, you can often reproduce later “random” values. Entropy-backed picks avoid relying on a shared, guessable seed held in the page.
Is there an API?
Yes. See the API docs for endpoints like random integers, one-of picks, inclusive ranges, shuffle, and sample — all rate-limited by IP.
Why rate-limit by IP?
IP limits slow casual abuse and scripted harvesting. They are not perfect security — networks are shared and attackers can rotate addresses — but they are a practical first layer alongside input size caps.
Fair draws in practice
Teachers picking who answers next, teams rotating facilitators, streamers choosing giveaway winners, families assigning chores — the common need is social trust. A pick that cannot be steered in the browser, and that treats every name equally, keeps the focus on the activity instead of arguing about the tool.