<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106926</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WHITNEY HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTNY</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CROWELL RICHARD B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common stock no par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>450</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>181013</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock </value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>31.985</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3000</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><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></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">As previously reported, Mr. Crowell also has outstanding options to acquire up to 3,000 shares of stock at  a price of $30.785 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plan</footnote><footnote id="F2">In addition, Mr. Crowell has 2,000 shares held in the Richard B. Crowell Turst #1 over which he has voting rights.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary of Whitney Holding Corporation and attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-01</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>
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X0101
4
2003-06-30
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001186062
CROWELL RICHARD B
1
0
0
0
Common stock no par value
2003-06-30
4
A
0
450
0
A
181013
D
Common Stock
31.985
2003-06-30
4
A
0
3000
0
A
2003-06-30
2013-06-28
Common stock
3000
3000
D
As previously reported, Mr. Crowell also has outstanding options to acquire up to 3,000 shares of stock at  a price of $30.785 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plan
In addition, Mr. Crowell has 2,000 shares held in the Richard B. Crowell Turst #1 over which he has voting rights.
Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary of Whitney Holding Corporation and attorney-in-fact
2003-07-01