What does Compostela mean according to the legend?

There are several theories regarding the origin of the term “Compostela”, although they all have in common that the term comes from Latin:

• One suggests it comes from the term combusta, meaning “to burn,” related to an ancient cemetery, as cremation of the dead was not uncommon in Roman culture;
• Another theory links it to componere, meaning “to build,” “to compose,” referring to the constructed place where the tomb of the apostle Saint James was found;
• A third refers even to the term composita tella, meaning “well built,” “beautiful land,” in reference to the good buildings found in the area of the current cathedral.

Regarding the popular theory that it derives from the Latin words campus stellae, meaning “field of stars” in the sky, most experts reject it, considering it a later creation to connect the name with a celestial phenomenon.