A random name picker with a little magic
Need to choose someone without another round of “you decide”? Put your own list of names into a digital hat. The Procrastination Hat picks from the names you provide; it does not invent new names.
Pick one name from a list
For choosing the next book-club host, a game leader or who goes first, create a hat and choose “I’ll add the possibilities”. Select “Other possibilities”, then enter one name per line. Open the draw and pull a note. Each entry is removed when it is drawn.
Give everyone a different person
For a gift exchange, choose “People - nobody draws themselves” instead. Enter 2–100 distinct names. Each participant selects their identity and receives one other person. Nobody receives themselves, and each recipient appears once.
One draw or several?
An ordinary options hat can allow repeat pulls if you want to draw several names in order. People draws give exactly one ticket per name. If one person needs to draw on behalf of several people, enable “Allow several names in one browser” during setup.
Make the list easy to recognise
Use distinct names such as “Alex R” and “Alex T” when two people share a first name. Share the draw link only with your group, and keep the private management link somewhere safe. Name selection is a group check-in, not a verified login.