I love
Alexander. I think it's a handsome classic. I don't find it boring BECAUSE it's not overused in my area. I really don't come across as many as I'd expect. As for nicknames, I personally think
Alex is great on a boy. I think
Lex absolutely can work as well. Other nicknames for
Alexander I like are
Ali and
Sasha, but they might not be to your taste. I would not use
Xander as a nickname because it seems like a complete name on its own.