Free Secret Santa Name Generator (with Exclusions)
Type in everyone's names and draw. Nobody gets themselves, and you can stop couples or housemates from drawing each other.
It runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere, and there's no sign-up.
Show results:
How it works
- Names are shuffled at random using your browser's random number generator, then matched so no one draws themselves.
- Pairs in the exclusions box can't draw each other in either direction.
- If a random attempt breaks a rule, it tries again, up to thousands of times. If no valid draw exists, it says so instead of breaking a rule.
- Duplicate names are flagged. Add a last initial to tell two people with the same name apart.
Want the draw in a spreadsheet?
The Secret Santa Generator Spreadsheet ($5, Excel & Google Sheets) does the same name draw with no self-draws and exclusions, in a file you keep for your group.
Get the Secret Santa spreadsheet, $5
Hosting the party too? The Christmas Party Games Mega Pack has 5 printable game sets ($10).
We make both, so take that into account. The generator above is free to use either way.
Questions
Is this Secret Santa generator free?
Yes. It's free, needs no sign-up and doesn't ask for email addresses.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The draw runs in your browser. Names and results aren't stored or sent anywhere, so if you close or reload the page the draw is gone. Copy the list first if you need to keep it.
Can someone draw their own name?
No. The generator never assigns anyone to themselves.
How do I stop couples drawing each other?
Add them to the exclusions box, one pair per line, like "Sam, Alex". An exclusion works both ways: Sam won't draw Alex and Alex won't draw Sam.
What if no draw is possible?
With too many exclusions, there may be no way to match everyone. The generator tries again many times and, if it still can't find a valid draw, tells you so. Remove an exclusion or add a person and try again.
How do I share results secretly?
Pick Reveal one at a time. Pass the device around: each person picks their own name, sees who they're buying for, then hides it before handing it on.
More free tools: all calculators, including the holiday gift budget calculator.