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

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000106926</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WHITNEY HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTNY</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001249743</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BULLARD JOEL B JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1147 E I-65 SERVICE ROAD SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MOBILE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>36606</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>73.73</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>73.73</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>8588.7</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">As previously reported, Mr. Bullard also has outstanding options to acquire up to 13,500 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $17.833 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. Corp. Secretary and attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2003-10-01
0000106926
WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
WTNY
0001249743
BULLARD JOEL B JR
1147 E I-65 SERVICE ROAD SOUTH
MOBILE
AL
36606
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
73.73
34.65
A
1988-08-08
1988-08-08
Common stock
73.73
8588.7
D
As previously reported, Mr. Bullard also has outstanding options to acquire up to 13,500 shares of stock at exercise prices ranging from $17.833 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. Corp. Secretary and attorney-in-fact
2003-10-02