The Fastest, Most Private
Random Picker on the Web
No sign-up. No tracking. No server round-trips. Just a blazing-fast, privacy-first tool that respects you and your time.
Why We Built NameWheels
It started with frustration. We needed a simple random name picker for a classroom activity. What we found online was a minefield of slow-loading pages, aggressive ads, pop-ups demanding email sign-ups, cookie banners the size of Montana, and trackers lurking in every corner.
Teachers deserved better. Streamers deserved better. Anyone who just needed to pick a random name deserved better. So in early 2025, we built what we wanted to use ourselves: a tool that loads instantly, respects your privacy, and gets out of your way.
No accounts. No paywalls. No "upgrade to premium" upsells. No tracking pixels watching your every move. Just a wheel, your names, and pure randomness.
A year later, NameWheels has been used by over 12,000 teachers, streamers, event organizers, and teams worldwide. And we're just getting started.
Our Philosophy
Three core values guide everything we build.
Speed
NameWheels loads in under 1 second. How? Zero server round-trips. No frameworks. No bloated JavaScript bundles. Everything runs 100% client-side in your browser. The wheel renders instantly, spins smoothly at 60fps, and works offline. Fast isn't a feature — it's the baseline.
Privacy
We don't collect your data. Period. No analytics trackers. No third-party scripts. No cookies beyond what's necessary for the site to function. Your names are stored in your browser's local storage — they never touch our servers. We can't see them, we can't sell them, and we never will.
Zero Friction
No sign-up forms. No email verification. No "create an account to save your lists." No paywalls hiding core features. Just open the page and spin. We believe the best tools are the ones that disappear — they do exactly what you need and nothing more.
How It's Built
We're transparent about our tech. Here's what powers NameWheels.
100% Vanilla JavaScript
No React. No Vue. No Angular. No frameworks at all. Just clean, modern JavaScript that runs fast and stays small. The entire app is under 50KB gzipped. Most frameworks are 10x that before you write a single line of code.
Client-Side Only
There's no backend. No database. No server processing your names. Everything happens in your browser. This makes the app lightning-fast, infinitely scalable, and inherently private. It also means we can serve the entire app from a CDN for near-instant global load times.
LocalStorage for Persistence
Your name lists are saved to your browser's local storage. They persist across sessions, survive page refreshes, and stay on your device. If you clear your browser data, they're gone — and that's by design. We never see them.
Progressive Web App (PWA)
Install NameWheels to your phone or desktop home screen. It works offline, loads instantly, and feels like a native app. Perfect for classrooms with unreliable Wi-Fi or events with spotty connectivity.
Open to Contributions
We're considering open-sourcing NameWheels on GitHub. If you're a developer and want to contribute features, fix bugs, or suggest improvements, stay tuned. Community-driven development is in our DNA.
Future Roadmap
We're constantly improving NameWheels. Here's what's on the horizon.
Custom Color Themes
Choose your own wheel colors. Pick from pre-built palettes or design your own. Perfect for matching your brand, classroom theme, or stream aesthetic.
Sound Pack Options
Classroom mode with soft ticks. Party mode with upbeat sounds. Silent mode for stealth spins. You choose the vibe.
Team Mode Improvements
Auto-split functionality to divide lists into balanced teams. Specify team size or number of teams, and let the wheel do the rest.
Save Multiple Lists
Store separate lists for different class periods, games, or events. Switch between them instantly without re-typing.
Export/Import Lists
Download your name lists as CSV or JSON. Import lists from spreadsheets. Share lists across devices without creating an account.
Internationalization
Support for multiple languages. Make NameWheels accessible to classrooms and teams around the world.
Who's Behind This
NameWheels is built by a small team of developers who care deeply about speed, privacy, and user experience. We're not venture-backed. We're not collecting funding. We're not trying to sell you anything.
We're just building useful tools that respect users. NameWheels is supported by a single, non-intrusive ad placement that keeps the lights on — nothing more, nothing less.
Get Involved
There are many ways to support NameWheels and help us grow.
Try the Wheel
Use NameWheels in your classroom, stream, or team. The more you use it, the more we learn about what works and what doesn't.
Spread the Word
Tell your fellow teachers, streamers, or teammates about NameWheels. Word-of-mouth is how we grow — and it's the most meaningful endorsement we can get.
Share Feedback
Found a bug? Have a feature request? Want to suggest an improvement? Reach out via GitHub Issues (coming soon) or email us. We read every message.