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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-10</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186072</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MARKS WILLIAM L</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>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman &amp; Chief Exec. Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13826</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>31.89</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>107674</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </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>359635</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </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>50373</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </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>2550</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>William L. Marks custodian for Mary Emily Miles</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12991.85</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares held for Mr. Marks in the Company's 401(k) plan as reported by the Trustee on 3/31/2005.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.861</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1997-12-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-06-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5301</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5301</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.4444</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-12-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-06-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4090</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4090</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.4444</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-12-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-06-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40909</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40909</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.071</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-12-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-06-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5532</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5532</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive opt</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.5277</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-12-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6049</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6049</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.5277</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-12-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Comm stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50199</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50199</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <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>5382</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5382</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </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>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4428</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified</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>70545</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70545</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </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>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4455</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </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>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3465</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </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>79035</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>79035</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan.  On June 10, 2005, vesting restrictions lapsed on  39,000 shares of restricted stock (adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split on 5/25/2005) , which shares are included in this total.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">All share totals and prices have been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split effective 5/25/2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Program and Long Term Incentive Plan pursuant to Rule 16b.  All share totals and prices have been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split effective 5/25/2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corp. Secretary and attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
[{"type": "4", "sequence": "1", "filename": "edgar.xml", "description": "PRIMARY DOCUMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 23194}]
X0202
4
2005-06-10
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001186072
MARKS WILLIAM L
228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS
LA
70130
1
1
0
0
Chairman & Chief Exec. Officer
Common stock no par value
2005-06-10
4
F
0
13826
31.89
D
107674
D
Common stock no par value
359635
D
Common stock no par value
50373
D
Common stock no par value
2550
I
William L. Marks custodian for Mary Emily Miles
Common stock no par value
12991.85
I
Shares held for Mr. Marks in the Company's 401(k) plan as reported by the Trustee on 3/31/2005.
Incentive opt
18.861
1997-12-31
2007-06-30
Comm stock
5301
5301
D
Nonqualified
24.4444
1998-12-10
2008-06-09
Comm stock
4090
4090
D
Nonqualified
24.4444
1998-12-10
2008-06-09
Comm stock
40909
40909
D
Incentive opt
18.071
1999-12-10
2009-06-09
Comm stock
5532
5532
D
Incentive opt
16.5277
2000-12-14
2010-06-13
Comm stock
6049
6049
D
Nonqualified
16.5277
2000-12-14
2010-06-13
Comm stock
50199
50199
D
Incentive opt
18.5777
2001-12-13
2011-06-12
Comm stock
5382
5382
D
Incentive opt
22.5799
2002-12-12
2012-06-11
Comm stock
4428
4428
D
Nonqualified
22.4433
2003-12-11
2013-06-10
Comm stock
70545
70545
D
Incentive opt
22.4433
2003-12-11
2013-06-10
Comm stock
4455
4455
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
79035
79035
D
Restricted stock granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan.  On June 10, 2005, vesting restrictions lapsed on  39,000 shares of restricted stock (adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split on 5/25/2005) , which shares are included in this total.
All share totals and prices have been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split effective 5/25/2005.
Granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Program and Long Term Incentive Plan pursuant to Rule 16b.  All share totals and prices have been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split effective 5/25/2005.
Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corp. Secretary and attorney-in-fact
2005-06-14