Yes good points. There are certain “same” notes that get called something more so than others… for example, Bb is used more than A#.
F# is used more than Gb. Ab is used more than G#. Eb is used more than D#. In your example of G# and Ab, it’s actually more poplar to use the Ab. They are the same note but when you have to think of their respective scales you’re better off thinking in Ab, here’s why…
The major scale is constructed like this: wholetone, wholetone, halftone, wholetone, wholetone, wholetone, halftone. So in C it looks like this following the example of tones just noted: C D E F G A B C.
An Ab scale then is Ab Bb C Db etc
A G# scale is G# A# B# C#
Do you see the difference? Who wants to deal with a B#? It’s a C note so we don’t want to deal with calling a C a B# it’s just not as easy for the brain.