DEAR ABBY: I am pregnant and due in November. I want to name my son John Charles Kwiatkowski III. My father-in-law's name is John Kwiatkowski and my husband's name is John Kwiatkowski Jr. Neither of them has a middle name. My sister-in-law says that altering the name, by adding or changing the middle name, negates the title. Don't the royals in England do this all the time? Who is correct? -- KELLY-JEAN KWIATKOWSKI, WARMINSTER, PA.
DEAR KELLY-JEAN: I can't speak for the British royals, but your sister-in-law is correct. By giving your son a middle name, you make it different from the name of his father and grandfather; therefore, he will not be third in rank.
Perhaps you might enjoy this little poem to include in your son's baby book:
YOUR NAME (Author Unknown)
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live.
If you lose the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced.
But a black mark on your name, son,
Can never be erased.
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father,
There was no dishonor there.
So make sure you guard it wisely,
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son.