<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106926</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WHITNEY HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTNY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001249454</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NICKOLSEN ERIC J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>17 WEST CEDAR STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 3</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PENSACOLA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32501</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock No Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>675</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8258.151</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5824.94</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.7444</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-01-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-06-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2250</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.5233</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-06-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.3233</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-06-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.8333</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-06-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.615</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-06-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-06-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Comm stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.37</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-06-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.37</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>565.45</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>565.45</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15617.85</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-07-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4.29</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.46</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4.29</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15622.14</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21.5</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.46</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>21.5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15643.64</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-07-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>88.82</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.46</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>88.82</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15732.46</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In the name of Eric Nickelsen Trustee, Trust Under will of Margaret M. Nickelsen, Deceased.  Mr. Nickelsen has full voting authority over this account.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Outstanding options to acquire shares of stock pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Phantom stock units are accrued on a 1-for-1 basis under the Company's Directors' Compensation Plan and are to be settled 100% of WHC common stock upon the requesting person's pre-determined payment after retirement.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary and attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-07-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2006-06-30
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001249454
NICKOLSEN ERIC J
17 WEST CEDAR STREET
SUITE 3
PENSACOLA
FL
32501
1
0
0
0
Common Stock No Par Value
2006-06-30
4
A
0
675
35.37
A
8258.151
D
Common stock no par value
5824.94
D
Comm stock
20.7444
2002-01-01
2011-06-30
Comm stock
2250
2250
D
Comm stock
20.5233
2002-06-30
2012-06-29
Comm stock
4500
4500
D
Comm stock
21.3233
2003-06-30
2013-06-28
Comm stock
4500
4500
D
Comm stock
29.8333
2004-06-30
2014-06-30
Comm stock
4500
4500
D
Comm stock
32.615
2005-06-30
2015-06-29
Comm stock
4500
4500
D
Comm stock
35.37
2006-06-30
4
A
0
4500
35.37
A
2006-06-30
2016-06-29
Comm stock
4500
4500
D
Phantom stock units
35.37
2006-06-30
4
A
0
565.45
35.37
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Comm stock
565.45
15617.85
D
Phantom stock units
35.46
2006-07-03
4
A
0
4.29
35.46
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Comm stock
4.29
15622.14
D
Phantom stock units
35.46
2006-06-30
4
A
0
21.5
35.46
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Comm stock
21.5
15643.64
D
Phantom stock units
35.46
2006-07-03
4
A
0
88.82
35.46
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Comm stock
88.82
15732.46
D
In the name of Eric Nickelsen Trustee, Trust Under will of Margaret M. Nickelsen, Deceased.  Mr. Nickelsen has full voting authority over this account.
Outstanding options to acquire shares of stock pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plan.
Phantom stock units are accrued on a 1-for-1 basis under the Company's Directors' Compensation Plan and are to be settled 100% of WHC common stock upon the requesting person's pre-determined payment after retirement.
Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary and attorney-in-fact
2006-07-05