Is SCP-1471 Male or Female? Uncovering Mal0's Gender and Origins

Does SCP-1471 Have a Gender?

One of the most frequently asked questions about SCP-1471 is:
Is SCP-1471 male or female?

The official SCP Foundation entry for SCP-1471 does not assign a gender to the entity. In fact, Mal0 (the common nickname for SCP-1471) is described only as a canine-skull-headed humanoid with long black hair, no visible facial features, and no documented voice or speech. It doesn’t communicate verbally, doesn’t identify itself, and its anatomy isn’t described in detail.

So, from a canonical standpoint, SCP-1471 is genderless.

However, that hasn’t stopped the internet from forming its own interpretations.

The Rise of “Female SCP-1471”

Online fan communities—especially on platforms like Reddit, DeviantArt, and Tumblr—have heavily leaned into feminizing SCP-1471. This likely stems from:

The long, flowing hair
The slender, humanoid body shape
The passive, watchful behavior often associated with mysterious female archetypes in horror

In this version, fans frequently refer to SCP-1471 using she/her pronouns, sometimes even depicting her in clothes, comics, and fan art as a misunderstood, silent girl with a skull for a face.

While “Female SCP-1471” is not canon, it’s become a dominant version in fan culture, much like many other SCPs take on alternative identities across the internet.

Is SCP-1471 Male?

On the other side, some fans argue that SCP-1471’s name “Mal0” sounds masculine. In languages like Spanish, “mal” means “bad,” and the “o” ending is traditionally masculine. That said, the Foundation document never hints at a male identity, and the name may simply be a codename or virus-like moniker for the app, SCP-1471-A, rather than the entity itself.

The truth is: Mal0 doesn’t express identity. It’s simply there—observing.

How Old Is SCP-1471?

Another common question is:
How old is SCP-1471?
The answer is a bit complex.

The SCP Foundation entry doesn’t assign a specific age to SCP-1471. It only describes the entity’s manifestation pattern via the anomalous mobile app SCP-1471-A. From this perspective, SCP-1471’s “birth” begins once the app is installed and the entity begins appearing to the user.

So in that sense, SCP-1471 is created anew with each installation—a kind of “manifested spirit” rather than a singular being with a timeline or birthday.

However, fan fiction and speculative lore sometimes explore alternate theories:

Some suggest SCP-1471 is an ancient entity bound into digital form
Others treat Mal0 as a modern anomaly, born from AI or cursed code
A few tales even imagine SCP-1471 as the digital ghost of a forgotten person, echoing through the app

But within official lore? SCP-1471’s age is undefined—and perhaps irrelevant. The only thing that matters is how long it watches you.

SCP-1471 and the Question of Identity

The reason fans keep asking about SCP-1471’s gender or age comes down to a single, haunting truth:
You never get to know it.

It doesn’t speak. It doesn’t explain itself. It simply exists—looming behind you, lurking in the distance, and appearing just a little too close for comfort.

That mysterious silence is what fuels all the theories. In a world full of monsters that scream, bite, or explode, SCP-1471 just stares—and that leaves a lot of space for the imagination.

Fan Art and Gender Identity Interpretations

The fan community has embraced these questions with creativity. On platforms like Twitter, DeviantArt, and Pinterest, you’ll find:

Female SCP-1471 drawings with gothic or cyberpunk outfits
Androgynous depictions with graceful or eerie body types
Even romantic fan fiction or gender-swapped comics featuring Mal0 as a protective, ghost-like companion

These gendered portrayals aren’t official—but they’ve become part of the extended SCP-1471 mythos nonetheless.