<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106926</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WHITNEY HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTNY</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001249443</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOCK E JAMES JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1401</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW ORLEANS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock </value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>31.985</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-06-30</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-06-28</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>3000</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom stock units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>35.93</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>34.65</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>Common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>35.93</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4185.33</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">As previously reported, Mr. Kock also has outstanding options to acquire up to 9,000 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $22.958 to $33.9166 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plans.</footnote><footnote id="F2">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/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary of Whitney Holding Corporation and attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2003-09-30
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001249443
KOCK E JAMES JR
228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
SUITE 1401
NEW ORLEANS
LA
70130
1
0
0
0
Common Stock
31.985
2003-06-30
2013-06-28
Common stock
3000
3000
D
Phantom stock units
0
2003-10-01
4
A
0
35.93
34.65
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Common stock
35.93
4185.33
D
As previously reported, Mr. Kock also has outstanding options to acquire up to 9,000 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $22.958 to $33.9166 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plans.
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 of Whitney Holding Corporation and attorney-in-fact
2003-10-02