# Names in a Hat — Pull random names from a hat > Randomly select names from a virtual hat for draws, teams, and Secret Santa. (iPhone/iPad app by Thomas Peters.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/names-in-a-hat/id310533991 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Thomas Peters](https://appshunter.io/developer/310533994) - Category: Utilities, Entertainment - Price: $0.99 - Rating: 4.60/5 from 131 App Store ratings · 55 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 10 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2009-04-04 - Data updated: 2026-08-28 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/names-in-a-hat/id310533991/reviews.md ## What is Names in a Hat? Have you ever needed to randomly pick names out of a hat and not have the necessary materials to do so? I've heard the scenario all too many times. You have the names, but what about a hat? There's not a fedora in sight. Your sleepless nights are about to end! Introducing the "Names in a Hat" application - just the tool you need to pick random names out of a hat. Features: * Save multiple lists of names and teams. * Tap to pull a name out of the hat. * Standard Draw - quickly draw a random order. * Team Draw - divide the names into teams. * Secret Santa - randomly assign people as gift givers and gift receivers. * Infinity Draw - continually draw from the same hat. * History - view your recent drawings. * Share your results in your favorite apps. ## Key features - Save multiple lists of names - Tap to pull a name - Standard random order draw - Divide names into teams - Secret Santa assignment - View drawing history - Share results ## What do users think of Names in a Hat? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use - 💡 Great for random draws - 👍 Useful for teachers - 👍 Handy for fantasy sports - 👍 Good for giveaways - 👍 Quick team assignment - 👍 Helpful for Secret Santa - 👍 Saves time over pen/paper - 👍 Developer responsiveness (auto-save update) - 👍 Can handle many entries **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🐛 Doesn't work on newer OS versions - 🐛 Poor UI/UX (outdated) - 🐛 Difficulty editing/deleting names - 🐛 No clear instructions/directions - 🐛 Paid app doesn't work for some - 🐛 Team names not saved between launches - 🐛 Manual entry is tedious **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on startup/randomizing - App closes unexpectedly - Team names not saved between launches - Support link leads to a blank website - Email function not working - Phone auto-corrects spelling of names with no edit option - Cannot delete lists once created - Cannot edit past names - Cannot delete names from current lists - People getting their own names (Secret Santa issue) **Most requested features** - Ability to edit names - Ability to delete lists - Ability to shuffle order of names - Full-size iPad version - Ability to import names from a file - Option to continuously recycle names - Ability to pick pairs from main screen - Save multiple lists/rosters - Option to turn on/off draw all names before repeat - Better keywords for searchability ## Recent user reviews (10 of 55) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/names-in-a-hat/id310533991/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Perfect app for my need highly recommend *2020-04-08* I was having a two week long raffle and I had to input entries daily. I was having saving issues so I contacted the developer. I given suggestions to make sure I was saving correctly and then they took it one step further and wrote and pushed an update with auto save functionality. Very impressive response and assistance. Thank you Thank you. ### 5/5 — Perfect for school! *2019-10-11* I let my students tap to get the next name and they love it. Keeps everyone on their toes. I also like the lightening picking for teams. Makes assigning random groups quick and I don’t get blamed for the students put together. Can’t wait to use this on the iPad! ### 5/5 — The hat to end all hats *2019-10-11* Say bye bye, berets. Farewell, fedora. Sayonara, safari hat. Names in a Hat will allow you to clear out your entire hat wardrobe, because this app does it all. Whatever your random draw needs, Names in a Hat offers a solution. I use this app regularly whether at work, with friends, or by myself. There is one problem... I don’t know what to do with all the space I gained when I threw out all my hats. C’est la vie. #YOLO ### 5/5 — Love this app! *2019-10-10* As a regular fantasy footballer, this app comes in handy when picking draft positions and divisions. Who doesn’t love a random draw? Here are a few of the things we’ve use NIAH for: meatloaf draw, FF long pick cash, secret Santa, not so secret Santa and poker dealer. Stop denying yourself fun and download this baby ### 5/5 — Nice little app *2019-10-09* Does just what I need it to do ### 5/5 — Great app *2019-10-09* Have been using this app since it was originally released and it still comes in handy. Highly recommend if you’re over using the old fashion pen/paper method. Secret Santa option is great and so useful as well. If you haven’t downloaded yet then you’re missing out. ### 5/5 — Names in a hat *2019-10-09* So easy to use!!! Makes picking names for games or Christmas so easy!!! ### 1/5 — Names in a hat *2019-10-03* How do I get a refund? This app doesn’t work at all! **Developer response:** bluepoodke9 - I created a help page to walk you through how to use the app. See: https://namesinahatapp.com/help If you are still having issues, please reach out. My contact is on that site. ### 5/5 — Nice *2019-04-04* The team names shuffle every time I open the history **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. The issue you raised was fixed in version 3.4. ### 1/5 — Robbed me! *2018-11-23* Absolutely poor! Paid 99p and doesn’t work. You can enter names. Doesn’t do anything else :-( **Developer response:** Please see the help page I created here: https://namesinahatapp.com/help If you are still having difficulties using my app, please feel free to reach out. My contact is available on that site. ## Frequently asked questions about Names in a Hat ### What does the Names in a Hat app do? This app allows you to randomly select names from a virtual hat. It's designed to eliminate the need for physical materials when you need to pick names for various purposes, such as games, raffles, or group assignments. ### What are the key features of Names in a Hat? Key features include saving multiple lists of names, tapping to pull a name, drawing in a standard random order, dividing names into teams, assigning Secret Santa roles, and viewing a history of your recent drawings. You can also share your results. ### Is Names in a Hat free to use? Yes, the Names in a Hat app is completely free to use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it a straightforward and cost-free utility. ### What are some common uses for this app? Common uses include picking winners for giveaways, randomly assigning participants to teams for activities, organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange, or simply making random selections for games and events where a fair and unbiased draw is needed. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 4.9 — 2020-12-21 * Fixed a bug with the History (thank you Alex M for raising the issue) ### 4.8 — 2020-08-03 * You can now delete previous draws in Histories (thank you for the suggestion Sean A.) ### 4.7 — 2020-04-05 • We added auto-save functionality so the lists automatically save as you add and delete names from lists. Thank you to Drew S. for the suggestion. ### 4.6 — 2019-12-22 This update is for all the teachers out there. You can now mark people on your list as absent without having to delete them. Tap on the name or the checkmark to disable that name in your hat temporarily. Tap again to add them back in. ### 4.5 — 2019-12-19 * Quick Teams—If you want to divide a hat full of names into groups, and you don't care what you call those groups, you can tap the "Quick Teams" button to generate as many teams as you need (e.g., Team 1, Team 2, etc.). * The "Your Sets of Teams" view has been renamed to "Your Leagues." * Bugfix—fixed an issue when a user attempts to save a duplicated hat/league name more than once. ## Apps similar to Names in a Hat | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Secret Santa - gift exchange](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-santa-gift-exchange/id1065534129) | 4.7 (2,466) | Free | Utilities | | [Random Name & Team Picker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/random-name-and-team-picker/id1668889502) | 4.8 (4) | Free | Utilities | | [Simple Secret Santa Generator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-secret-santa-generator/id1317400324) | 4.4 (1,492) | Free | Utilities | | [Random Number Generator. RNG](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/random-number-generator-rng/id1128190780) | 4.6 (3,291) | Free | Utilities | | [Random - Randomizer Wheel](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/random-randomizer-wheel/id1435808497) | 4.5 (2,796) | Free | Utilities | | [Raffle Name](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raffle-name/id1454791384) | 4.7 (5,267) | Free | Utilities | ## More apps by Thomas Peters - [Teddy Draw](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/teddy-draw/id1488058982) All apps by Thomas Peters: https://appshunter.io/developer/310533994 ## Related topics [names in a hat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/names-in-a-hat) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*