Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili - at the beginning of his career, a Russian revolutionary who began to use many pseudonyms for political conspiracy. The most famous, of course, is Stalin, but for a narrow circle of friends he was also known as Koba.
In total, Stalin had more than thirty pseudonyms, each of which had its own meaning and history of origin. It is believed that the surname Stalin Dzhugashvili began to use in connection with the bright associative series of hard and resistant metal. Steel is rigid and flexible, a steel rod is what has become an integral part of the historical image of a great politician, he is steel, an unbending revolutionary.
Koba is a pseudonym for youth. Under him, Dzhugashvili was known in the revolutionary ranks in the Caucasus. There is no consensus about where this nickname came from. There are several assumptions.
Literary option
One of the versions says that the hero of Alexander Kazbegi's patriotic story "The Father-killer" was distinguished by his perseverance and desire to go to the intended goal by any sacrifice. These and other character traits of Koba - a literary hero - were very impressed by young Stalin, and Dzhugashvili, like a mask, tried on the style of behavior and purposefulness, so for a long time the future "father of nations" asked to call himself that way - Koba.
Years later, after gaining power and getting rid of his closest associates who could make him vulnerable, Stalin, according to historians on the basis of eyewitness accounts, literally changed his face when he was called by the name of Koba.
Royal option
The version about the origin of the pseudonym from the Georgian version of the name of the Persian king Kobades looks no less plausible.
For medieval Georgia, the period of his reign was of great historical importance. Under him, the city of Tbilisi became the capital of the country, and the country received a serious economic impetus, trade relations were established, new crafts were mastered, the first irrigation devices appeared, and gardens were laid out.
Historians note similar moments in the biographies and character traits of the tsar and Stalin. The strong-willed, strong character, uncompromising manner of government of Kobades aroused respect for Dzhugashvili, it is difficult to say whether the young revolutionary copied a historical character, but the fact that Stalin was well acquainted with the history of the government of Kobades is obvious.
Leon Trotsky wrote in his memoirs that there was a period when Dzhugashvili was called by the double name Koba-Stalin, and behind his back they called him “Kinto”, which means “a clever rogue and Soso got the nickname from his mother, who called him affectionately Moved down.
