[Rosemont]

Why would the Russians select a Georgian over a Slavic Russian?

[MarMema]

Stalin is not a Georgian name, and he turned away from his country and people, preferring to be Russian and choosing a Russian name.
They probably like it that he preferred them to the Georgians.

[Greysard]

Why would the Russians select a Georgian over a Slavic Russian?

1. Racism is not very strong in Russia, mostly because (until the last decade or so) there was no reason for animosity toward "foreigners".
2. In Soviet Union children were taught internationalism and cooperation with "other" people, be they within the country or outside (like Angola.)
3. Stalin's murders were not wide known. Talking about them would be a sure way to learn about them from the inside of Gulag.
4. Stalin's bloody war mistakes were not talked about either (like trying to retake Kharkov before being ready). After Stalin's death and Khruschev's actions the knowledge started to spread, but only to those who wanted to listen.
5. Stalin's law and order were essential during the war itself; many are sure that without Stalin literally threatening managers with a gun there wouldn't be enough military goods produced to win the war. After the war, when many gangs were formed by former soldiers used to killing, Stalin had no qualms to order these gangs rounded up and destroyed by any means necessary. This movie is quite illustrative on the subject of post-war crime.
6. Stalin's strict socialism after the war created an illusion of equality and plenty. To that end, people who were "more equal than others" did not mingle with commoners. Stalin built some impressive skyscrapers in Moscow for the privileged workers, for example.
7. The grass is always greener elsewhere, and everything in the past was far better than today. But we know that already :-)

[Thunder90]

Stalin spoke Russian, and adapted Russian culture. Therefore, he was Russian.