<?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>0001249439</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUMENTHAL HARRY J JR</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>10800</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></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="F2"/></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">Mr. Blumenthal also has voting and investment power with respect to 11,137 shares owned by family members, which beneficial ownership is disclaimed.  Under the terms of his father's will, he and his sister have joint naked ownership of Whitney stock, over which his mother has usufructury rights.  </footnote><footnote id="F2"> As previously reported, Mr. Blumenthal also has outstanding options to acquire up to 15,000 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $17.50 to $33.9166 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plans.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary of Whitney Holding 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
0001249439
BLUMENTHAL HARRY J JR
1
0
0
0
Common stock no par value
2003-06-30
4
A
0
450
0
A
10800
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
Mr. Blumenthal also has voting and investment power with respect to 11,137 shares owned by family members, which beneficial ownership is disclaimed.  Under the terms of his father's will, he and his sister have joint naked ownership of Whitney stock, over which his mother has usufructury rights.
As previously reported, Mr. Blumenthal also has outstanding options to acquire up to 15,000 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $17.50 to $33.9166 pursuant to the Company's Directors Compensation Plans.
Patricia K. Loupe, Asst. Corporate Secretary of Whitney Holding and attorney in fact
2003-07-01