The word 'noble' means low reactivity, not complete inertness. Xenon, for example, can form compounds under suitable conditions. The family is still chemically quiet compared with most other groups.
Helium is used where very low temperatures are needed, especially in cryogenics. Neon is famous for discharge lighting. Argon is widely used as a protective gas in welding and manufacturing because it reacts so little.
Moving down the group, atoms become larger and easier to polarize. Their boiling points rise too, which is why the physical behaviour of helium and xenon differs so strongly despite their family resemblance.