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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-06-23</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001249459</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EXNICIOS JOSEH S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW ORLEANS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15708</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13458.4782</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Held for the reporting person in the Company's 401(k) plan as reported by the Trustee on 3/31/2010</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.5777</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-12-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-06-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3375</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3375</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.5799</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12447</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12447</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.5799</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4428</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4428</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.4433</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4455</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4455</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.4433</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12420</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12420</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.86</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3465</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3465</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.86</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13410</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13410</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.59</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-06-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3165</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3165</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.59</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-06-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6835</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6835</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.41</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-06-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-06-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.76</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-07-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-07-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqual opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2011-06-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-06-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted stock units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-06-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>16000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Program and Long Term Incentive Plans pursuant to Rule 16b.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Whitney Holding Corporation common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The restricted stock units vest (become non-forfeitable) on the third anniversary of the grant date.  Vested restricted stock units convert to shares of common stock on the later of (i) within 30 days following the vesting date or (ii) the earliest permissible date such units may  convert to shares of common stock as a result of the issuer's receipt of financial assistance under the Department of the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corp. Secretary for WHC, agent and attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-06-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0303
4
2010-06-23
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001249459
EXNICIOS JOSEH S
228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS
LA
70130
0
1
0
0
Sr. Executive Vice President
Common stock no par value
15708
D
Common stock no par value
13458.4782
I
Held for the reporting person in the Company's 401(k) plan as reported by the Trustee on 3/31/2010
Incentive opt
18.5777
2001-12-13
2011-06-12
Comm stock
3375
3375
D
Nonqual opt
22.5799
2002-12-12
2012-06-11
Comm stock
12447
12447
D
Incentive opt
22.5799
2002-12-12
2012-06-11
Comm stock
4428
4428
D
Incentive opt
22.4433
2003-12-11
2013-06-10
Comm stock
4455
4455
D
Nonqual opt
22.4433
2003-12-11
2013-06-10
Comm stock
12420
12420
D
Incentive opt
28.86
2004-12-16
2014-06-15
Comm stock
3465
3465
D
Nonqual opt
28.86
2004-12-16
2014-06-15
Comm stock
13410
13410
D
Incentive opt
31.59
2005-12-15
2015-06-13
Comm stock
3165
3165
D
Nonqual opt
31.59
2005-12-15
2015-06-13
Comm stock
6835
6835
D
Nonqual opt
35.41
2009-06-28
2016-06-28
Comm stock
10000
10000
D
Nonqual opt
28.76
2010-07-10
2017-07-10
Comm stock
7500
7500
D
Nonqual opt
18.77
2011-06-23
2018-06-23
Comm stock
9000
9000
D
Restricted stock units
Comm stock
12500
12500
D
Restricted stock units
2010-06-23
4
A
0
16000
0
A
Comm stock
16000
16000
D
Granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Program and Long Term Incentive Plans pursuant to Rule 16b.
Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Whitney Holding Corporation common stock.
The restricted stock units vest (become non-forfeitable) on the third anniversary of the grant date.  Vested restricted stock units convert to shares of common stock on the later of (i) within 30 days following the vesting date or (ii) the earliest permissible date such units may  convert to shares of common stock as a result of the issuer's receipt of financial assistance under the Department of the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corp. Secretary for WHC, agent and attorney-in-fact
2010-06-25