Your list is nice! I don’t think it’ll be as much of an issue as you think with your surname, some of those names are more obscure.
Also, I totally agree with the most recognized first, and spunky middle. It’s like an awesome little secret part of your child they have. I love it personally.
[name]Alexander[/name] - [name]One[/name] of my all time favourite names ever. I’m a huge fan of all [name]Alex[/name]- names and variants. I love the nickname [name]Alex[/name], and Zender. [name]Lex[/name] is an awesome one too.
[name]August[/name] - This has really grown on me lately. I love it a lot, but I’m not a fan of the nn [name]Gus[/name] at all. I don’t like any nicknames for it really, and I think it’s totally fine on it’s own.
[name]Benjamin[/name] - I like it. I’m not a major fan, but I like it. I wouldn’t use it personally as of yet, but I like it. I love the nn [name]Ben[/name], and [name]Benny[/name]. Not a big fan of [name]Benji[/name]. It’s a proper, sturdy name. It’s the kind of name parents who expect him to be a success, but would love him even if he wasn’t would give, I think.
[name]Calvin[/name] - My cousin’s name. 
Not bad, not a fan, but it’s not bad. I associate it with jokester types of people. Probably because all three that I know are like that.
[name]Christian[/name] - I really love this name. It’s got a lovely sound, and the nn [name]Chris[/name] is awesome.
[name]Dean[/name] - Another cousin’s name. A bit boring imo, but not bad. No nickname needed that’s for sure! I love “[name]Baby[/name] [name]Dean[/name]” as a nickname for a baby.
[name]Elliott[/name] - On my own list, I like it a lot. The nn [name]Eli[/name] is one I’m considering. I don’t like that there’s a fair amount of girls with said name, but it’s still boy to me.
[name]Everett[/name] - It’s a solid name, with a fresh, modern feel. I like the nn [name]Rhett[/name] for it, but I really don’t think it needs one.
[name]Henry[/name] - On my list! I love love love [name]Henry[/name], it’s getting quite popularly mentioned, but I love it. I think it’s a wonderful name for a boy, and has such great qualities about it. No nickname needed, but if I ever have a [name]Henry[/name] his nn would be [name]Rio[/name].
[name]Leo[/name] - It’s a good name. Short, and powerful. I like it.
[name]Morgan[/name] - It’s so girl to me, but I don’t like it much on girls. On boys it’s more tolerable, I’m still not a huge fan though. I do get a manly feel from it because of the character [name]Derek[/name] [name]Morgan[/name] on Criminal Minds. They all go by their surnames most of the time, so I when I hear [name]Morgan[/name], my mind jumps to him.
[name]Nicholas[/name] - I really love [name]Nicholas[/name]. It’s a great name, ages wonderfully, the nn [name]Nick[/name] is perfect for any age, especially an adult, and [name]Nicky[/name] is such a cute, but not overly so one for a child. It’s on my list too.
[name]Roland[/name] - Not bad, makes me think of [name]Nolan[/name] which makes me think of [name]David[/name] [name]Nolan[/name] aka [name]Prince[/name] Charming on Once Upon A Time (great show, I recommend it if you haven’t seen it. There’s a [name]Henry[/name] in there too. 
) I’m not a fan persay, but it’s not a bad choice.
[name]Samuel[/name] - My uncle’s name. It’s a solid name, very sturdy, not very exciting to me. Doesn’t spark any emotion in me at all. [name]Sam[/name] is great nn. We call my uncle Uncle [name]Sammy[/name].
[name]Theo[/name] - [name]Lovely[/name] choice. I really love [name]Theodore[/name] (The boyfriend’s middle name) and [name]Theo[/name] is a great form of it.
[name]Caroline[/name] - I love [name]Caroline[/name]! It’s such a light, breezy, but substantial name. It invokes a smile from me. I love the nn Care, or [name]Caro[/name].
[name]Claire[/name] - I’m a fan of [name]Claire[/name]. I think it’s a beautiful name. No cons for me. It needs no nickname imo.
[name]Cora[/name] - It’s alright. A bit of a “downer” kind of name to me. I prefer [name]Cara[/name].
[name]Eliza[/name] - It’s okay. I like [name]Elise[/name] more.
[name]Eloise[/name] - Looooveee [name]Eloise[/name]. It’s on my list for the middle spot. It needs no nickname, but I’d use [name]Elle[/name] if anything. [name]Eloise[/name] is such a fresh, light, cheery name that ages so well.
[name]Jane[/name] - Not bad, a bit plain to me though.
[name]Lena[/name] - [name]Love[/name] it. Needs no nickname.
[name]Helene[/name] - Not bad, [name]Lene[/name] could be a nickname. It’ll likely be mistaken for [name]Helena[/name] or [name]Helen[/name] a lot though.
[name]Lydia[/name] - I’m not a fan. It’s very heavy, down sort of name to me.
[name]Norah[/name] - I like it! I prefer [name]Nora[/name], but I like it.
[name]Susannah[/name] - Not a fan at all.