Secret Santa Name Picker

Create random Secret Santa assignments while preventing anyone from being assigned themselves.

How to use Secret Santa Name Picker

1. Enter Names. 2. Browser pseudorandom choices are for everyday examples and organisation. Results can repeat between runs; this does not provide a certified lottery, secure secret or audited draw. At least two distinct exact identifiers are required. Each receives and gives once, with nobody assigned to themselves. This samples circular assignments, not every possible derangement uniformly; exclusions and messaging are not handled. 3. Select Pick or press Enter from a single-line field. In multiline text fields, Enter inserts a line break. 4. Select Copy result to copy the answer, or Reset to clear the form and result.

Why use this tool?

Use Secret Santa Name Picker when you need random gift assignments. Browser pseudorandom choices are for everyday examples and organisation. Results can repeat between runs; this does not provide a certified lottery, secure secret or audited draw. At least two distinct exact identifiers are required. Each receives and gives once, with nobody assigned to themselves. This samples circular assignments, not every possible derangement uniformly; exclusions and messaging are not handled.

How the calculation works

Shuffle distinct identifiers into a cycle; give each person the next person in that cycle. Browser pseudorandom choices are for everyday examples and organisation. Results can repeat between runs; this does not provide a certified lottery, secure secret or audited draw. At least two distinct exact identifiers are required. Each receives and gives once, with nobody assigned to themselves. This samples circular assignments, not every possible derangement uniformly; exclusions and messaging are not handled.

Example

Worked example: Names = "Alice\nBob". Result: Alice → Bob Bob → Alice.

Practical tip

Check the secret santa name picker input and output convention before reusing the result.